The return of star defenseman Thomas Chabot fueled the Ottawa Senators to a victory over the surging Minnesota Wild.
Chabot returned to action on Tuesday after missing the previous four games with an upper-body injury. Playing in his 300th NHL game, Chabot recorded two goals — including the game-winner late in the third period — and an assist in Ottawa’s 4-3 victory.
The win ended a mini two-game losing streak for the Sens. They fell to the Boston Bruins 3-2 in overtime on Saturday and 2-1 to the New York Rangers one day later
The victory moved Ottawa to 19-26-5 on the season. They’re a super long shot to miss the playoffs and share the lowest Stanley Cup odds with nine other teams at +30000. Senators fans can bet on the team’s games now that Ontario sports betting is legal and fully live.
“It’s great to be back,” Chabot said after the game, per Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. “Three hundred games is something special. I take a lot of pride in that and it’s nice to get out here and put in a great effort and stick to it and find a way to win the game.”
Chabot is up to five goals and 27 points on the season (46 games). He’s in the second season of an eight-year, $64 million pact that was signed in Sept. 2019.
Ottawa will try to close out the four-game homestand with a second victory when they host the rival Montreal Canadiens this Saturday (7:00 p.m. EST). The Senators will then embark on a five-game road trip that begins against the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning on Mar. 2.
Sheldon Keefe Provides Injury Update On Jake Muzzin
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe offered an encouraging update on defenseman Jake Muzzin, who was hospitalized following a collision with Chris Wideman in Monday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Prior to Tuesday’s road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Keefe stated that the update on Muzzin was “positive”, per Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun.
“All things considered, Jake’s had a good day,” Keefe said, via Hornby. “He went to the hospital (in Montreal) for observation and tests, went back to the hotel, was feeling better and has traveled home to rest. “He’ll be going through concussion protocol and all that stuff and we’ll be patient with that of course. It’s positive.”
Muzzin’s head hit the ice hard following the collision with Wideman. He was down for a few moments but managed to get up on his own power.
The veteran rearguard was acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings ahead of the 2019 trade deadline. Muzzin has been a mainstay on Toronto’s defense, earning a four-year extension worth $22.5 million during the 2019-20 campaign.
A 2014 Stanley Cup winner with Los Angeles, Muzzin is widely regarded as Toronto’s best defensive blueliner. They’re seven points behind the Florida Panthers for first in the Atlantic Division, and two behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for second.
There’s no definitive timeline on Muzzin’s return, but the good news is that he has seemingly avoided serious injury.
Fred VanVleet Comments On First NBA All-Star Game
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has followed up his career 2020-21 season with the first All-Star selection of his feel-good career.
The 27-year-old was named to the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. He was selected by Team LeBron, who outlasted Team Durant in a high-scoring thriller by a final score of 163-160.
VanVleet commented on his first All-Star Game experience after Team LeBron’s victory.
“It was probably being in the locker room and just being around the guys and hear some of the stories and share stories,” VanVleet said of the All-Star weekend, per the Canadian Press (h/t Sportsnet). “I think that’s probably the best part, just to be a part of the brotherhood of (what this) elite level is.
“I’m happy with the way the night went. We won, I got out there and made a couple shots, got some cardio in. That’s it. I’m good.”
In the 2020 offseason, the Raptors handed VanVleet a four-year contract extension worth $85 million. VanVleet, a key member of the Raptors’ 2019 NBA Championship team, set career-highs in points (19.6) and rebounds (4.2) per game last season.
VanVleet has been even better in 2021-22, averaging 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and seven assists per game (all career bests). His efforts have helped the Raptors return to playoff contention, and they come out of the All-Star break with a 32-25 record.
At this point, the Raptors are a safe bet to at least appear in the play-in tournament. They commence a three-game road trip against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday (7:00 p.m. EST).
