Ottawa Senators Injury Updates: Tkachuk, Norris, and Pinto Return to Lineup

Image credits: John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images

The Ottawa Senators are poised to receive a significant boost to their lineup as captain Brady Tkachuk and centers Josh Norris and Shane Pinto are expected to return to action against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Tkachuk, who missed two games due to a lower-body injury sustained while representing Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, confirmed his return, stating, "I'm feeling good and I'm ready to go tomorrow. I'm excited to get back with the boys." Norris has been out for six games with an upper-body injury, while Pinto has missed four games with a similar issue. The return of these key players is crucial for the Senators, who are currently on a five-game losing streak and sit four points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets for the wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Senators' depth has been tested during the absence of Tkachuk, Norris, and Pinto, and the team has struggled to find consistency, closing out February with a 2-5-0 record. However, with the return of these players, the team is looking to turn their fortunes around and make a push for the playoffs. As Tkachuk noted, "With us three back, there are no excuses. I've learned that there is a standard that I want to play with and I know everybody in this room to play to the best of their abilities." The team's coach, Travis Green, has done a good job of keeping the team focused on the present and not dwelling on past losses, and the return of these key players will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team's morale and performance.

The Senators face a must-win game against the Sharks, who are currently the worst team in the National Hockey League. A loss would not only be embarrassing but also devastating to the Senators' playoff hopes. The team is aware of the importance of this game and is looking to treat every game like it's Game 7 from this point on. As Green stated, "We're in no position to think that we're getting ahead of ourselves. San Jose is playing some decent hockey. They're a very fast team. We got lucky in San Jose to win. They've had 20 one-goal losses and seven of their last 10 have been one-goal games." The Senators will need to be at the top of their game to come out on top against the Sharks and keep their playoff hopes alive.

In other injury news, the Toronto Maple Leafs are dealing with their own set of injuries, with Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Chris Tanev, and Steven Lorentz all missing practice on Saturday. The Maple Leafs are riding a four-game winning streak and will look to continue their momentum when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. The Buffalo Sabres are also dealing with an injury to forward Jason Zucker, who did not participate in the team's morning skate on Saturday. The St. Louis Blues, meanwhile, are preparing to face the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night, with a number of players returning from injury.

The NHL is a highly competitive league, and teams need to have all their players healthy and performing at their best to succeed. The return of Tkachuk, Norris, and Pinto to the Senators' lineup is a significant boost to the team's chances of making the playoffs. With 24 games left in the season, the Senators will need to win at least 15 games to have a chance at making the playoffs. As Tkachuk noted, "This is what it's all about. I'm excited for this opportunity to show everybody what this group is all about. I know we're in a little bit of a skid right now. I'm really looking forward to getting on the ice tomorrow and proving all of the doubters wrong." The Senators will need to play to a high level to achieve their goals, and the return of these key players will undoubtedly help them in their pursuit of a playoff spot.