The Ottawa Senators are riding high with their fourth consecutive win, but the recent injury news has thrown a wrench in their momentum. The team will have to push through the final stretch of the 2025-26 regular season without their key defenseman, Thomas Chabot, who is out due to a broken forearm.
Chabot underwent surgery on Thursday, and the recovery timeline is set at four to eight weeks. This means he might miss the opening round of the playoffs, assuming the Senators clinch a spot.
Chabot's injury happened during a gritty 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers, courtesy of a cross-check from Rangers captain J.T. Miller. The immediate concern was evident, and head coach Travis Green confirmed Chabot's absence for 4-8 weeks, with most leaning towards a 6-8 week recovery.
With just 11 games left, the Senators face the challenge of maintaining their playoff position without one of their defensive stalwarts. Currently holding the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Senators are eyeing a playoff berth, but Chabot's absence could mean missing him for the entire first round and possibly part of the second.
The situation is further complicated by the absence of defensemen Jake Sanderson and Nick Jensen, both crucial to the Senators' top-four rotation.
How Will the Senators Adapt?
Without Chabot's exceptional puck-moving skills, Ottawa will need to rely more heavily on their remaining defensemen and look to the Belleville Senators for reinforcements. The big question is whether they can sustain this approach.
If they secure a playoff spot, their potential first-round clash with the formidable Carolina Hurricanes looms large. Carolina, under the guidance of Rod Brind’Amour, excels in controlling the game and applying constant pressure, which demands a robust defensive response-something Ottawa is currently lacking.
While the Senators have offensive talents like Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle, the depleted blue line poses a significant hurdle against a team like the Hurricanes. With Chabot and Jensen sidelined and Sanderson still finding his rhythm, Ottawa's defense could be stretched to its limits.
Factor in Carolina's wealth of playoff experience, and the Senators are undoubtedly the underdogs in this scenario.