Senators get stunning injury update ahead of showdown vs Panthers

The Ottawa Senators got some awesome news on the injury front on Thursday ahead of their Atlantic Division showdown against the Florida Panthers at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported that the Sens would be getting defenceman Thomas Chabot back into the lineup.

It’s a stunning turn of events after it was believed that Chabot would be out for the remainder of the regular season. The Senators’ veteran D-man sustained a broken forearm during the team’s March 23 game against the New York Rangers.

During that contest, Rangers captain J.T. Miller committed an egregious cross-check that required Chabot to undergo surgery to repair the injury. The initial prognosis was that the 29-year-old would be out for four to eight weeks.

However, Chabot resumed skating earlier this week, two weeks following the surgery. While he was in a non-contact jersey during Tuesday’s practice, the developments reporting Chabot would return to game action are certainly mind-shocking.

Perhaps the injury wasn’t as bad as initially thought. Or Chabot is simply a true marine and willing to contribute even if playing hurt.

With the Senators clinging to the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, the club will need all the help it can get. The Sens have a two-point lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets and a three-point margin on the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, and Washington Capitals.

The Blue Jackets, Red Wings, and Islanders will be in action Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Capitals moved closer after blanking the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.

The race is still too close for Ottawa to clinch a playoff berth on Thursday night. But a win will certainly make it virtually impossible for the other clubs looking to catch them.

That’s why the mission is: Win, and you’re in. That’s what the Senators have in mind. And that’s certainly why Chabot pushed his recovery ahead of schedule.