Ottawa Senators' defenseman Jared Cowen will not be playing in the California segment of the impending road trip. The big blueliner was suspended 3 games for his late hit on Jussi Jokinen during Saturday night's 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers.
Admittedly the hit was late, but I am not sure about the headshot aspect of it. To me, Cowen extended his arms well after the hit was made and it was interference, for which he was penalized correclty. But, those are the types of hits the league is doing a moderately successful job of trying to get rid of, thus the suspension (when you combine it with the fact Cowen has been disciplined before).
That means the Senators, barring an imminent call-up, will head to California with just 6 healthy bodies on the blue line, since Chris Phillips will not go along. So, I would anticipate Chris Wideman or Frederik Claesson getting on the plane with the team before they leave, because an injury, especially in the opener in Anaheim, would be tough to get a player to Cali before Thursday's second half of the back to back in LA against the Kings.
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Another player getting on the flight with the team will be Colin Greening. Greening was recalled yesterday, as the Senators look to give him one last showcase before next Monday's trade deadline in hopes that another team will bite. Greening has 7 points (5 goals, 2 assists) in 12 games with the B-Sens since his demotion last month.
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Craig Anderson will accompany the team on the road trip, with hope that he will be able to take the crease at some point during the 5 game swing. He participated in full practice on Sunday, but there were still 3 goalies present so his return isn't imminent.