Thomas Chabot is back on the shelf, only one game after returning from an upper-body muscle ailment that kept him out for 10 days.
The Ottawa Senators blueliner will not be suiting up against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night at the Crypto.com Arena in the third game of the club’s lengthy seven-game trip.
Chabot reinjured himself taking a shot late in the third period of the club’s 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.
Coach Travis Green stated following the club’s morning skate in Los Angeles that Chabot is listed as day-to-day, but there is no timetable for his return, and given the nature of the injury, every precaution will be taken.
The Ottawa Citizen was told on Monday night that the Senators may send Chabot home from the road trip for further examination with their own doctors, but that hadn’t been confirmed.
The way it looked was concerning because Chabot didn’t make any physical contact, let off a weak shot and then headed straight to the bench, where he was having a long discussion with athletic therapist Dom Nicoletta.
Chabot played 21 minutes and 45 seconds against the Sharks while back with his old defensive partner, Nick Jensen. Chabot missed three games as a result of the ailment he suffered on Nov. 11 in the first period against the Dallas Stars at home.
The Senators didn’t skate on Sunday, so there was no update on the lineup against the Kings. Chabot spoke during the post-game interviews, but wasn’t asked about his status. Green wasn’t either, so Monday was the first opportunity to get an update.
The first time Chabot suffered this injury, he had to be checked to make sure he didn’t require surgery. You have to think he’s going through that regimen again and the original timeline was at least two weeks.
It was no surprise to see Chabot back earlier than expected because he’s a competitor and wants to be in the lineup every night. He didn’t even get in a full practice with his teammates before coming back.
“There is nothing worse than missing time. It felt great to be back out there with my teammates,” Chabot said after the win in San Jose.
The club sent defenceman Lassi Thomson, who was brought up to be available because of the injury to Chabot, back to its American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville.
Blueliner Nikolas Matinpalo, who left the club’s 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday after taking a hard hit in the third, skated on Friday in San Jose and was a scratch against the Sharks.
The Senators won’t let injuries be an excuse.
“A lot of guys have stepped up their game and played really well,” defenceman Jake Sanderson said before facing the Kings. “I could say good things about everybody, they’ve all played so solid.
“We’re getting better at breaking out pucks, especially on the road where it’s harder with lineup matchups, but I think we’re doing a pretty good job.”
If the Senators want to recall a blueliner, they may bring Dennis Gilbert — who was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers last week — up from Belleville.
Winger Ridly Greig, who originally had a maintenance day a week ago in Ottawa and was on the ice on Wednesday in Anaheim, will miss his third straight game.
Green also said Greig is day-to-day, but he hasn’t been on the ice in almost a week. He hasn’t suited up since the club’s most home game, against the Kings on Nov. 15.
The Senators will be getting some help this week with the return of captain Brady Tkachuk from the long-term injury reserve.
“He’s great. I expect him to play sooner-than-later,” Green said.
He’s expected to suit up Friday in his hometown, St. Louis, against the Blues in an American Thanksgiving matinee at 4 p.m. That will be exactly six weeks after Tkachuk had surgery in New York.
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Tkachuk missed his 19th game as a result of the ligament damage to his thumb on Oct. 13 against the Nashville Predators that required surgery to repair.
He accompanied the Senators on this trip and has been skating in a non-contact jersey since Tkachuk was given clearance by the doctor who performed the procedure.
The club had a 10-4-4 record without Tkachuk heading into the game against the Kings. Getting Tkachuk back will be a huge boost to the roster because many wondered if the Senators could win without him.
The Senators still have some tough opponents left on this trip — including the Golden Knights, Blues, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens to close it out next Monday — so Tkachuk can make his presence felt.
Ottawa is 2-0-0 and headed into this game trying to sweep a three-game trip through the Golden State for the first time since 2015.