It's not good news in Ottawa.
Defenseman Cody Ceci (upper body) and forwards Ryan Dzingel (lower body) and Alex Formenton (concussion) were all placed on injured reserve Friday. These key pieces will now miss Saturday's matinee against the Los Angeles Kings, and most likely Monday's game against the Dallas Stars.
To help fill the holes, forward Nick Paul and defenseman Christian Jaros were recalled from Ottawa's American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators. Ben Harpur, a healthy scratch in all four Senators’ games to start the season, is also expected to dress Saturday as head coach Guy Boucher has hinted he'll be icing a roster of 11 forwards and seven defencemen.
Guy Boucher gives an update on his line-up and the team’s injuries before tomorrow’s match-up with Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/69YV5OZTNI
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 12, 2018
The news on Dzingel and Formenton was expected, but somewhat disappointing for Ottawa.
While Dzingel had been “managing” a lower-body issue, he did pot a pair of goals in Monday's game in Boston despite being a game-time decision. On Wednesday, the speedy winger played against the Flyers, but skipped that morning's gameday skate.
Against the Flyers, Formenton left during the second period after being cross-checked from behind in the helmet by Jori Lehtera. Lehtera was retaliating for, what appeared to be, a late hit by Formenton on Oskar Lindblom that sent the Flyer awkwardly into the boards.
Boucher told the Sporting News postgame that the youngster would miss at least one game; however, it turns out the 19-year-old suffered a concussion and his return is now unknown.
While the injuries will be tough on the Senators roster, it does allow the replacements to get another chance at cracking the lineup full-time.
The 22-year-old Jaros, the last defenseman cut prior to the season opener, was usurped by Maxime Lajoie in training camp - but deservedly so. The 20-year old Lajoie is off to a scorching start with three goals and two assists in his first four NHL games. The former Swift Current Bronco notched only one goal and 14 assists in 56 appearances with Belleville last season.
Lajoie nets his second goal of the season. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/hlmSDdVTnq
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 11, 2018
Paul, who has played in parts of three campaigns with the parent Senators, was deemed the Baby Sens best player-to-date per Boucher. He will likely garner fourth line duty against LA and will look to put his past struggles with consistency behind him.
As for Harpur, he signed to a two-year, one-way contract extension late last season after playing in 41 games for Ottawa. He told reporters post-practice Friday that he’s remained focused despite not suiting up.
“A lot of it is mental," said the six-foot-six, 223-pound defender. "I’m staying positive, staying as game-ready as possible."
For Jaros, Paul and Harpur, they will be stepping onto a Senators team that will have to tighten up defensively to have a chance at beating the Kings. Against Philadelphia, Ottawa allowed too many open lanes due to aggressive zone entries.
“We’re playing more aggressive [and] that’s why we’re getting way more chances," explained Senators Matt Duchene. "We’re playing a more exciting brand of hockey, but we also have to understand [that] when they send three guys out of their zone, our third guy has to peel out."
Boucher added, “You have to recognize when you can go and when you pull back. When you have the puck, you have to push pace. When you don’t, you need to realize how to transition defensively. I thought we were late reloading [on Wednesday].”
The Senators will also have to trim their shots against with opponents firing a league-high 38.8 shots on goal per game on Craig Anderson and Mike Condon. But, the good news for the Ottawa netminders is the Kings have the third-fewest shots-per-game average (23) in the NHL.
Goaltender Jack Campbell, who has been filling in for the injured Jonathan Quick, shut out the Canadiens in their home-opener Thursday and is expected to start on Saturday. There will also be some familiar faces on the Kings, as former Senators Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson make their first visit to Kanata since being dealt in February.
Anderson is slated to be in-between the pipes and looks to earn the Senators first win at the Canadian Tire Centre this season. The team is currently 1-2-1 with their lone win coming in Toronto one week ago.