Columbus Blue Jackets forward Scott Hartnell will be back on the ice Thursday against the Calgary Flames after head coach John Tortorella made him a healthy scratch for Tuesday's loss to the Washington Capitals.
The Blue Jackets' bench boss made it very clear he doesn't want Hartnell to change how he plays, but to simply control his frustration.
"I don't want a different Scott Hartnell," Tortorella told reporters. “Since I’ve been here, (Hartnell) has been one of my most consistent forwards - he’s a really good player. I'm not looking for a different one, I just want one that is disciplined right on through, being himself."
It was his second time being scratched this season after a slow skate to the bench cost his team a penalty for too many men late in a tie game against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Tied with fellow winger Brandon Saad with a team-leading 31 points, the 33-year-old has struggled of late, and is currently on a season-worst seven-game goalless drought, while recording just five points in his last 10.
"It's when the sloppiness comes into play, he's got to reel himself in," Tortorella said. "He's a pro. He's a very good player, and we're looking forward to getting him back in."
The Blue Jackets will face a club going through a tough stretch of their own, with the Flames entering their third game of a five-game road trip as losers of four of their last five.