While the Senators are set to welcome a forward back to their lineup on Thursday, they’ll be missing another one for at least the next few games. Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch relays that center Josh Norris has been ruled out through the weekend, meaning he’ll miss at least the next three games. The 25-year-old left Tuesday’s game in the first period for what was called precautionary reasons but he has been listed as having an upper-body injury. Norris has 17 goals and 10 assists in 47 games so far this season, numbers that are comparable to the 16 and 14 respectively he had in 50 outings last year. He also ranks second on the Sens in faceoff percentage and hits.
More from the Eastern Conference:
- The Blue Jackets were without center Cole Sillinger for their game in Toronto. The team announced (Twitter link) that the 21-year-old is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. After putting 32 points in 77 games in 2023-24, Sillinger is on pace to eclipse that output relatively soon as he already has seven goals and 16 assists through his first 45 outings this season.
- The Canadiens announced (Twitter link) that center Owen Beck has been assigned to AHL Laval. The 20-year-old was recalled on Sunday and played in Montreal’s last two games, playing just over 15 minutes combined. Beck is off to a solid start to his professional career in the minors, collecting 25 points in 37 games with the Rocket this season. No corresponding recall is expected before their game in Detroit on Thursday.
- Originally believed to be out day-to-day with an upper-body injury sustained versus Montreal on the weekend, Maple Leafs winger Max Pacioretty is now expected to miss more time. Head coach Craig Berube told reporters including Nick Barden of The Hockey News (Twitter link) that the veteran is now expected to be out “probably a little bit longer” than day-to-day. Pacioretty has dealt with multiple injuries this season but has still suited up in 32 games this season, picking up five goals and seven assists. He was placed on IR earlier today but it now appears that he’ll be out longer than the required seven days.