Senators D Jake Sanderson rejoins lineup at crunch time
Jan 31, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (85) waits for a face-off against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson made his return to the ice Saturday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild.
He has not played since March 7, when the Senators defeated the Seattle Kraken 7-4, because of an upper-body injury.
Sanderson missed 13 games but is returning at a crucial time for Ottawa (39-26-20, 88 points). The Senators, based on tie-breakers, entered the game against the Wild holding the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the berth is far from clinched. The Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers all have 88 points and are waiting to pounce on each other's mistakes to grab the final postseason berth.
On the season, Sanderson has 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists) in 62 games, which leads defensemen.
Sanderson, 23, was selected by Ottawa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
In 298 career games heading into action on Saturday, the Montana native had 175 points (36 goals, 139 assists).
--Field Level Media
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