Not all the news was bad for the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
As head coach Guy Boucher prepared to fill out his lineup card before the National Hockey League team’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, the good news was that centre Derick Brassard and blueliner Cody Ceci, who had both missed practice Monday, were declared healthy enough to play at Canadian Tire Centre.
Also in the lineup Tuesday night was centre Matt Duchene, who had been battling the flu and hadn’t been on the ice for practice in the previous two days.
Defenceman Johnny Oduya took part in the morning skate, but didn’t play against the Blackhawks.
If Duchene hadn’t played, the Senators would have dressed seven defencemen which meant Mark Borowiecki would have returned from a concussion that has kept him out since Dec. 19. Borowiecki is eligible to play Wednesday in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
Borowiecki has medical clearance to return, but said he understood that waiting a little longer wouldn’t be the worst thing, either.
“It’s still going to be game time,” Borowiecki said. “It’s one of those things where I’m dying to play and anxious to play, but it’s been six weeks for me and do I want to take the chance of flushing that all away for one night?
“I feel like I’m ready if need be. We’re going to have that discussion tonight and see how some of our guys are feeling.”
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