Zub a game-time decision, Senators could be short against Columbus

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The Ottawa Senators could literally be shorthanded Tuesday night.

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After leaving the ice early during the skate Monday, defenceman Artem Zub wasn’t on the ice for the morning skate Tuesday and he’ll be a game-time decision against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Canadian Tire Centre.

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The indications are Zub won’t be available to face the Jackets, which means the Senators likely will only have five blueliners for this one because the club doesn’t have space under the salary cap to call anyone up.

“We’ll see if he’s available,” interim coach Jacques Martin told reporters following the skate.

Martin said Zub suffered the lower-body injury in the club’s 5-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

The club already is without defenceman Jake Sanderson with an undisclosed lower body injury and losing Zub is a huge hit.

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Because the Senators don’t have any space under the cap, they’ll have to play one man short on the roster for one game and then they’ll be allowed to recall a defenceman from their American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville in time for Thursday’s visit by the Anaheim Ducks.

AHL all-star defenceman Maxence Guenette and Tyler Kleven would be the top candidates for an emergency recall from Belleville. Both have had strong seasons in Belleville and Guenette could get a chance after being the club’s last cut at the end of training camp.

This is all part of the salary-cap gymnastics the Senators have had to perform this season.

The club waived rugged winger Zack MacEwen on Monday and, if he clears Tuesday at 2 p.m. he’ll be sent to Belleville to get his $775,000 salary off the books.

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Forsberg has missed 11 games because of a right groin injury, but the club didn’t take him off the long-term injury list Saturday and dressed Kevin Mandolese as the backup goalie.

Mandolese wasn’t on the ice Tuesday morning and Forsberg will start.

Forsberg makes $2.75 million and the club had only $1.2 million in cap space at 5 p.m. Monday.

The good news is Sanderson, who has missed two games with an ailment he suffered Feb. 1 against the Detroit Red Wings, skated for the second straight day and has taken a step in the right direction.

Martin indicated Sanderson could be ready to play Saturday on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks or Monday night vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“He’s progressing and he’s skating,” Martin said. “I haven’t spoken with the (medical staff) but it’s encouraging. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon, whether it’s on the weekend or next week in Florida. It looks like a good possibility and we’ll see where he’s at.”

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

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