The Ottawa Senators lost Game 3 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. And unfortunately, they may be without defenseman Jake Sanderson for the upcoming win-or-go-home Game 4. Sanderson left Thursday’s contest with an injury after a very scary hit.
Sanderson attempted to make a play behind the net during Game 3. As he was skating, he took a scary hit to the head from Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall. Sanderson immediately went after Hall, and the veteran forward received a two-minute penalty. Sanderson left the game shortly thereafter.
Following the game, head coach Travis Green did not have an update on Sanderson’s condition. However, he did take the time to rip into the officials for not calling a five-minute major for this hit.
“It’s pretty obvious why he left the game,” Green said, via Postmedia reporter Bruce Garrioch. “I just don’t understand why there isn’t a five-minute major called on the hit to the head. It’s a blatant hit to the head. Those are the kinds of hits you don’t want to see. It was ridiculous; there wasn’t a review.”
Sanderson emerged as a legitimate No. 1 defenseman during the 2025-26 season. The Senators star averaged nearly 25 minutes of ice time for his club. Additionally, he scored 14 goals and 54 points from the blueline in 67 games.
It’s unknown whether Sanderson will be able to suit up in Game 4. It would certainly be a major blow if he had to miss the contest. Game 4 between the Senators and Hurricanes takes place on Saturday afternoon from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
The Ottawa Senators lost Game 3 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. And unfortunately, they may be without defenseman Jake Sanderson for the upcoming win-or-go-home Game 4. Sanderson left Thursday’s contest with an injury after a very scary hit. Sanderson attempted to make a play behind the net during Game 3.