Harrington enjoying regular duty on defense

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Blue Jackets mixed up two of their three defensive pairings last week with only Seth Jones and Zach Werenski sticking it out together.

Do not expect any complaints from Scott Harrington.

Harrington has been paired with David Savard after spending time with Markus Nutivaara — when he was on the ice, that is. After spending a good chunk of the season as a healthy scratch, Harrington is finding the rhythm that comes with consistent playing time.

Entering a game against Carolina on Nov. 28 at Nationwide Arena, Harrington had been scratched for 12 consecutive games and played in just two of the opening 24 games.

On Saturday night, the Jackets faced the Hurricanes once more and, as was the case last month, Harrington was in the lineup — as he has been for the past eight games.

“Obviously it’s a lot more fun playing than not,” said Harrington, who got his first goal of the season last weekend in New Jersey. “It has been good, nice to get into some games and be in that competitive environment again. You feel like you are helping the team every night. I’m trying to enjoy it.”

Harrington is not only in the lineup more and more, but the 24-yearold is finding increased playing time. After playing just 15:41 in his first two games (combined), he has hit the 12 minute mark in four of the past six games heading into Saturday.

“Every game you play, you feel more and more comfortable,” said Harrington, who played a season-high 16:38 Tuesday in a loss to the Oilers and was on for 14:01 Thursday against the Islanders.

“It is much easier playing 10 games in a row than going 10 games in between. Your confidence grows, each game builds on the previous one. I’m trying to take my game to the next level.”

A hoop hall

After beating the Islanders 6-4 on Thursday, coach John Tortorella rolled out the same lineup at PNC Arena on Saturday as Sergei Bobrovsky made his seventh consecutive start in goal.

Tortorella did his pregame news conference from the North Carolina State men’s basketball media room; the Wolfpack shares the arena with the Hurricanes.

N.C. State played UNC-Greensboro on Saturday afternoon with the Hurricanes playing the Jackets later that night. N.C. State lost to Greensboro 81-76.