The Senators will be without Jake Sanderson for the remainder of Saturday’s game, forcing an in-game reshuffle of Ottawa’s defensive pairs and minutes. Saturday at 11: 00 p. m. ET, the team announced Sanderson was ruled out after taking a hit late in the second period against the Seattle Kraken.
Immediate setback: Jake Sanderson exits late in second period versus Kraken
Sanderson suffered an upper-body injury late in the second period and was officially ruled out for the rest of the contest, the team announced. He left the ice favoring his right shoulder, went to the locker room and did not return, removing Ottawa’s top blue-liner from the game plan against the Seattle Kraken.
Senators’ playoff push faces pressure with Sanderson unavailable
Any significant injury to Sanderson would be a big blow for the Senators, who are trying to push for a playoff spot and currently sit fourth in the Atlantic Division. Sanderson, 23, entered Saturday’s game with 11 goals and 37 assists in 61 games, numbers the team relied on from its top defenseman.
Sequence that ended Sanderson’s night involved Brandon Montour hit
The defenceman appeared to sustain the injury after pinching in the offensive zone and taking a big hit from Kraken defenceman Brandon Montour. That hit removed Sanderson from the ice and led to the team ruling him out for the remainder of the matchup.
Still, the Senators must now adjust on the fly: bench minutes and defensive matchups will shift for the remainder of the game, and coaching staff will evaluate Sanderson’s status after further medical examination. Sanderson is also fresh off winning a gold medal at the Winter Olympics with Team USA, a recent highlight in a season in which he has been a key contributor.
For now, Warren Foegele was noted as set to make his debut as a Sen against the Kraken, a roster note that may bear on how Ottawa covers Sanderson’s absence in the short term. Other players already on the ice will absorb additional minutes while the club assesses the severity of Sanderson’s upper-body issue.
Next scheduled coverage includes the Senators’ media availability and the upcoming game against the Detroit Red Wings at Canadian Tire Centre. If Sanderson is unavailable beyond Saturday’s contest, the Senators will be without a 23-year-old defenceman who has compiled 11 goals and 37 assists in 61 games, placing measurable strain on Ottawa’s push for a playoff spot.
