Ottawa Senators defence facing shortages as Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub sidelined before season opener

The Ottawa Senators are facing a depleted defence lineup entering their season opener Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with top defenceman Jake Sanderson sidelined and Artem Zub also injured.

Sanderson left Saturday's preseason game against Montreal midway through the second period after logging an assist on a Drake Batherson power-play goal. Head coach Travis Green said the exit was "for precautionary reasons." On Wednesday, three days before the season opener, Sanderson sat out practice. "We were hoping he'd be in practice today, but it didn't feel right," Green told the Ottawa Citizen. "So he stayed off and we'll see where it goes, if he's ready for the weekend."

Green confirmed Monday that Sanderson's current injury is unrelated to what kept the 24-year-old out for much of training camp. Sanderson plays the most minutes on the team and is regarded as a top-15 defenceman across the league.

With Sanderson and Zub unavailable, the Senators deployed this pairing Wednesday: Thomas Chabot—Jordan Spence; Tyler Kleven—Carter Yakemchuk; Nikolas Matinpalo—Cameron Crotty; and Hoyt Stanley as the seventh defenceman. Yakemchuk started camp on the top pairing with Sanderson before Green moved him to the third line with Kleven. The two have played two preseason games together, including a 6-1 loss to Toronto.

Green offered cautious optimism about the pairing: "It's hard to see. I thought they played a strong game last game. I thought Klev's game has really come along; I think Yak's game has, as well. As far as chemistry, it just seems like it should be a good pairing."

Team president Steve Staios, head coach Travis Green, and staff must finalize a 23-man NHL roster by 5 p.m. ET Monday.