The Ottawa Senators are going to get a big defensive boost when they host the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Defenceman Artem Zub, who has been sidelined since mid-October with a lower-body injury, will be returning to the lineup, head coach Travis Green confirmed on Thursday.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played since Oct. 14 against the Los Angeles Kings, when he suffered an injury following a big hit.
He will slot alongside Jake Sanderson on the top pair, while Travis Hamonic reunites with Tyler Klevin on the bottom defensive pairing.
The undrafted, right-shot defenceman has spent his entire career with the Senators since making his debut in the 2020-21 season, with 17 goals and 54 assists in 253 total games.
Green also confirmed that backup Anton Forsberg will get the start at Canadian Tire Centre, where the Senators have a 5-1-0 record.