The Ottawa Senators lost Game 3 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. And unfortunately, they could be without defenseman Jake Sanderson for the upcoming win-or-go-home Game 4. Sanderson left Thursday’s contest with an injury after a really scary hit.
Sanderson attempted to make a play behind the online during Game 3. As he was skating, he took a scary hit to the pinnacle from Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall. Sanderson immediately went after Hall, and the veteran forward received a two-minute penalty. Sanderson left the sport shortly thereafter.
Following the sport, head coach Travis Green didn’t have an update on Sanderson’s condition. Nevertheless, he did take the time to rip into the officials for not calling a five-minute major for this hit.
“It’s pretty obvious why he left the sport,” Green said, via Postmedia reporter Bruce Garrioch. “I just don’t understand why there isn’t a five-minute major called on the hit to the pinnacle. It’s a blatant hit to the pinnacle. Those are the sorts of hits you don’t wish to see. It was ridiculous; there wasn’t a review.”
Sanderson emerged as a legitimate No. 1 defenseman in the course of the 2025-26 season. The Senators star averaged nearly 25 minutes of ice time for his club. Moreover, he scored 14 goals and 54 points from the blueline in 67 games.
It’s unknown whether Sanderson will have the option to suit up in Game 4. It will surely be a serious blow if he needed to miss the competition. Game 4 between the Senators and Hurricanes takes place on Saturday afternoon from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa.
The Ottawa Senators lost Game 3 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. And unfortunately, they could be without defenseman Jake Sanderson for the upcoming win-or-go-home Game 4. Sanderson left Thursday’s contest with an injury after a really scary hit. Sanderson attempted to make a play behind the online during Game 3.