In Saturday's clash between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs, Senators' defenseman Dennis Gilbert faced a tough break. Gilbert exited the game early after a heavy hit from Toronto's Oliver Ekman-Larsson, leaving fans concerned about his condition.
Head coach Travis Green confirmed post-game that Gilbert would be sidelined for an extended period, though specifics about his injury remain under wraps. With Ottawa leading 5-2 late in the third, Gilbert was pursuing a loose puck in the corner when Ekman-Larsson delivered the hard check.
The impact left Gilbert visibly in pain, and he stayed down on the ice until the whistle blew. He eventually made his way off the rink and into the locker room.
Interestingly, Ekman-Larsson's hit went unpenalized, a decision that might stir some debate among fans and analysts alike.
Prior to his departure, the 29-year-old Gilbert was making his presence felt in his sixth appearance with Ottawa this season. He logged two blocked shots and maintained a plus-1 rating over 11:17 of ice time, contributing to the Sens' 5-2 win.
This season, Gilbert has tallied one assist in his NHL outings, alongside 12 assists in 31 games with Belleville in the AHL.
Looking ahead, the Senators will face off against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday evening, hoping to continue their momentum despite Gilbert's absence.