When the Senators know Artem Zub is close to returning to the lineup
The Ottawa Senators suffered a big blow to the lineup when defenseman Artem Zub was injured in the third game of the season against the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 14. During the first period, Zub was hit by the Kings' Tanner Jeannot and left the game after having just 2:38 of ice time.
Tanner Jeannot lands a heavy hit on Artem Zub. 😳 pic.twitter.com/OeVtfDJdCn
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 14, 2024
Zub suffered a concussion on the hit by Jeannot and would be out of the lineup for "at least a week." Since Zub got hurt, the Senators have a 3-3-0 record and are 5-4-0 overall.
In the losses the Senators have suffered, they desperately could've used Zub's defense. The Senators have allowed four goals in three of the six games. Yesterday, the Senators received news on Zub, but will still have to wait for him to return to the lineup.
Zub started to skate on his own, but hasn't yet skated with the team
Yesterday at practice, head coach Travis Green confirmed that Zub is skating on his own, but not with the team. When Zub does skate with the team, then the Senators know he will be closer to returning to the lineup.
Green says Zub is skating. When he starts skating with the team, that's when you know he is closer to returning.
— TSN 1200 Ottawa (@TSN1200) October 31, 2024
It's good news and bad news on Zub. It's good that Zub is skating on his own, but it's bad that he still can't skate with the team. It's also very important and good that Green now knows when Zub will return to the lineup.
The Senators have missed Zub's defense deeply over the past six games. Former 2018 first-round draft pick Jacob Bernard-Docker has stepped in for Zub in the lineup every game, but has been inconsistent.
Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot have been dealt with more responsibilities on the defense and have rose to the occasion by playing big minutes, and Nick Jensen has played better and has showed the Senators good value since being traded over this past Summer.
One defenseman that hasn't played a whole lot in the NHL is Tyler Kleven. Over the past two seasons, Kleven has played in just 17 games, but has played in every game this season. Kleven finally broke through with his first point of the season this past Sunday night, and the Senators hope it's the first of many more to come.
Zub has been missed by the Senators and the team needed to fill his role fast. While it hasn't been easy doing so, the Senators could be in a worse situation, but they need Zub to return to the lineup. The Senators play their first back-to-back of the season tonight in New York City against the New York Rangers, and it will be a tough test going up against one of the most elite offenses in the NHL.