The Ottawa Senators have been without a healthy lineup for most of the season. Although they won’t be back to full health they’re taking a step in the right direction as it was announced today that Bobby Ryan and Mark Borowiecki have been activated from the injured reserve.
The Ottawa Senators started the season without captain Erik Karlsson. By the time he had returned two more defencemen had been injured, Oduya and Harpur. By the time they were ready to return to the lineup Ryan was injured and quickly after so was Borowiecki. Now Zack Smith is out with an injury as well. However, the Sens will have Ryan and Borowiecki back for their game against Pittsburgh. This will be the closest thing they have had to a healthy lineup all season.
Ryan
Bobby Ryan is a player who has struggled with hand and wrist injuries for his whole time in Ottawa. This season was no different as he went down with a broken finger. Prior to going down with an injury, Ryan was one of the Sens best forwards. He had six points in eight games despite none of them being goals. However, he was shooting the puck and was playing better than he had in recent years. His return should be an instant boost to the Sens lineup.
Borowiecki
Before his injury Borowiecki had played just nine games this season. Having already been injured he was out early in the season. When he returned he was part of the seven man rotation that Boucher had been using. His return will likely mean that Harpur will be sent back to the AHL.
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A Formidable Top Six
The most important of the two returnees is obviously Ryan. He is a top six forward for the Sens and when he’s playing well he’s arguably their most skilled forward. With Duchene recently being traded to the Ottawa Senators, Boucher wants to try Ryan on a line with him. If they can gel together the Sens will have one of the most formidable top six forward groups in the league.