Hard-luck Senators lose Drake Batherson to COVID-19 protocol

Vancouver Canucks centre Brandon Sutter (20) fights for control of the puck with Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19). (Jonathan Hayward/CP)

The beleaguered Ottawa Senators have placed forward Drake Batherson in COVID-19 protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Calgary Flames.

Batherson had had two goals and two assists for the Senators in their victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. In 14 games this season, the 23-year-old has seven goals and 16 points.

On Thursday, defenceman Nikita Zaitsev was placed by the Senators into the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, the third Ottawa player to be added to the list in one day.

Alex Formenton and goaltender Matt Murray were added to the COVID-19 list by the Senators earlier in the day. A total of nine Ottawa players were in the protocol when the Senators hosted the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

And on Saturday night, the Senators lost centre Shane Pinto in his first game back from the injured reserve list. Pinto was suspected of having injured his right shoulder.

--With files from The Canadian Press

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