Senators forward out with another hand injury
Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan is out with another hand injury but coach Guy Boucher says this ailment is different from the ones he has suffered in the past.
Ryan scored a third-period, power-play goal Thursday night to give the Senators a 1-0 lead over the Anaheim Ducks, but left the game shortly after.
It’s the fourth time this season that Ryan will miss time with a hand injury and the eighth time since joining the Senators in the 2013-14 season.
He missed eight games after breaking a finger Oct. 21, then sat out another game after re-aggravating it on Dec. 21. Ryan missed two more games in January.
“He’s seeing a specialist now and we’ll know the extent of it,” said Boucher on Friday. “It’s not the same thing. It’s the same finger, but it’s not the same thing. It’s not on the bone itself, it’s more joint related and stuff so it’s a little complicated. So we’ll see where that takes us.”
Ryan will not play in either of the Senators games this weekend against the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens and Boucher said he was highly doubtful for the upcoming week.
Through 38 games, Ryan has six goals and 19 points and his absence creates a significant void for the Senators.
“He trained so hard and the way his game had become at the end of the year last year, at the playoffs, he wanted to continue that,” said Boucher. “His mind was at the right place, his work ethic, his discipline, everything was there. I really feel for him. I feel for our team, to be honest with you, because we need him so badly. But for him, because he put in the time and the effort and he’s been stopped because of those injuries.”
Added teammate Mark Borowiecki: “I feel bad for the guy. I’m sure his head’s probably not in a great place right now so it’s going to be important for us to rally around him and make sure he’s feeling good.”
Ryan’s absence will create an opportunity for Colin White, who had been expected to be reassigned to AHL Belleville after being a healthy scratch Thursday night.