The Ottawa Senators have had a number of obstacles to overcome since the start of the season and the next one along the way will be important as goaltender Cam Talbot will be out for three weeks with a lower body injury.
• Also read: NHL: The New York Rangers are a star magnet
• Also read: Expansion in the NHL: Quebec overtaken by…Atlanta?
Head coach DJ Smith will therefore be regularly dependent on Mats Sogaard, while Kevin Mandolese will act as his assistant following his urgent recall from Belleville School Club. After failing to get dressed in his team’s last game, Talbot was sidelined between January 25 and February 24 due to an injury he sustained during a game against the New York Islanders.
“It’s sad to know what’s going on in Cam’s case. He’s an important part of this club and a guy I count on to support,” Sogaard told NHL.com. Of course, not being able to bet on him hurts a lot. I will do my best to help this team win and put them in winning situations. That’s all we can do as goalkeepers.”
look up
For a formation that ranks 10th in the National Hockey League’s Eastern Conference, it’s a hit. The Ontario team are trying to climb the ladder in the standings at the heart of a crucial five-game away streak. It started badly on Monday when the “Sens” lost 5-0 to the Chicago Blackhawks.
“We’ll keep working,” Smith promised. This is our most difficult month, we’ve talked about it. We’ve had two wins in three games so far. No game can be more important than another. Yes, there are some that appear larger, but you’ll need to play above .500 in March to give us a shot.
Senators will visit the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Their task promises to be tough as their closest rivals sail towards a five-win streak.