The Ottawa Senators experienced a bittersweet victory on Saturday at the Canadian Tire Centre, securing a 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks while navigating significant changes to their defensive corps.
A Mixed Bag on the Blue Line
While the team celebrated the return of top defenceman Thomas Chabot after a 15-game absence, the game was marred by the early exit of rookie blueliner Tyler Kleven. Kleven left the contest in the first period following a hard collision with the boards, suffering a lower-body injury. He was listed as day-to-day post-game, with head coach Travis Green stating he had no immediate update on the defender's condition.
Chabot's return was a welcome sight for a team that has missed his consistency and skill. The 28-year-old had been sidelined since November 21 with what was believed to be an oblique muscle injury, originally sustained on November 11 against Dallas. His comeback meant Nikolas Matinpalo was a healthy scratch for the Chicago game, though Matinpalo is expected to play Sunday in Boston.
Chabot Jumps Right Back Into Action
Coach Green acknowledged before the game that Chabot might show some rust, having played very little hockey over the last 20 games. However, any plans to ease him back were scrapped when Kleven's injury forced the team to play with only five defencemen. Chabot ended up logging a hefty 26 minutes and 37 seconds of ice time, skating primarily on the second pairing alongside Nick Jensen.
"From my side of things, it's probably great," Chabot said after the game, noting he hadn't played in 27 days. "It's my first game in a month, and you kind of want to just ease into it. It's good. It got me right back into it." Chabot made his presence felt, recording an assist on captain Brady Tkachuk's second-period goal.
Impact on the Senators' Defence
Chabot's return provides crucial balance to Ottawa's defensive unit. Prior to his injury, he was averaging 21 minutes and 55 seconds per game, second only on the team to Jake Sanderson. Sanderson has been carrying a significant load in Chabot's absence, averaging over 25 minutes per game. Green noted that Sanderson's role won't necessarily diminish, as he will continue to play major minutes, sometimes alongside Chabot.
The Senators took every precaution to ensure Chabot was fully healthy before his return, even considering holding him out of back-to-back games. His performance against Chicago demonstrated why he is considered one of the club's most reliable performers. The team now looks ahead to a road game against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, where they will hope for positive news on Kleven's status while integrating their returning star.
