LATE INJURIES TEST SENATORS
Stone, Hoffman, Wingels sidelined
The Ottawa Senators looked more infirm than invincible as they headed out on a decisive four-game road trip Monday.
But there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Though there was no injury update on Mark Stone (head), Tommy Wingels (head) and Mike Hoffman (undisclosed), all three did make the trip with the Senators as they prepare to face the New Jersey Devils tonight at Prudential Center for the second time in less than a week.
That doesn’t mean any of them will play against the Devils, but while they certainly didn’t look good Sunday, this can only be viewed as a step in the right direction for the Senators. Coach Guy Boucher will update the status of all three this morning.
The Senators didn’t just suffer a 3-2 defeat Sunday to the Winnipeg Jets at home. They also lost the three players to injury, forcing the Sens to call up Casey Bailey and Max McCormick on Monday from their American Hockey League affiliate in Binghamton, N.Y.
Of course, the biggest concern is Stone because of his concussion history and the fact he has been one of the club’s best players over the last couple of months.
“I don’t know which one is more worrisome,” Boucher said when asked about Stone’s concussion history.
If he’s out for a lengthy period, GM Pierre Dorion may have to intensify his search for a forward before the March 1 trade deadline; however, no decisions have been made. Winger Chris Neil will likely be inserted into the lineup against the Devils. Among the injured players, Wingels has the best chance to play.
The Senators finished Sunday’s game with only eight forwards and there were times when defenceman Fredrik Claesson took a shifts up front because the club didn’t have enough bodies. Boucher, who has spent his entire life in hockey, has never seen the likes of this.
“I don’t remember, to be honest, seeing that many (injuries) in so little time. These are some of your better players, too,” Boucher said. “We’re not talking about our 12th or 13th forward, we’re talking about high-end players.”
All this came after the incredible high of beating the Leafs 6-3 Saturday and moving within two points of the Montreal Canadiens for first place in the Atlantic Division.
The reality is this hasn’t been an easy season for the Senators.
They’ve been without winger Clarke MacArthur since the third day of training camp, when he suffered a concussion, and goaltender Craig Anderson is back now after being given personal leave for two months to be with his wife Nicholle while she underwent treatment for throat cancer.
Lately, things have been looking up for the Senators. MacArthur has been shut down for the season, but Anderson is back and should be here for the rest of the year. That’s like adding a player without making a trade.
“Our team is doing well. Our team has battled through adversity all year long,” Boucher said. “We finally get our No. 1 goalie back, guys are healthy and to have (three injuries) all happen in a few hours, it’s very tough, I won’t lie to you.
“We’ll have to fight through it and find ways and battle, but the reality is when you lose that many top-end players at the same time, it’ll demand a lot from our players. It’s very unusual circumstances right now that we’re going to have to battle through.”
Centre Zack Smith said that’s what the stretch drive is about. The teams that make the playoffs have to battle to get there and this will be a big test for the Senators if these guys are out for an extended period.
“That’s huge, especially at this time of year,” Smith said. “Our schedule isn’t getting any easier. Games are hard, guys are going to go down and guys are going to be playing with injuries, but everyone goes through it.
“It’s just how you react to it. I thought, even though we didn’t tie it up at the end (Sunday), I thought we played pretty well considering the adversity we went through there.”
Since the Senators weren’t providing any timetable on the trio, it’s not known if all three will miss tonight’s game against the Devils. No matter how long they’re out, the Senators will have to soldier on without them.
“It’s tough. They’re huge parts of the team,” Smith said. “It’s tough when you lose anyone. We’re not sure of anyone’s status here yet, so we’ll see when that time comes.”
I don’t remember, to be honest, seeing that many (injuries) in so little time. These are some of your better players, too.