Senators’ Jake Sanderson exits vs. Sharks following high crosscheck

The Senators will be holding their breath and hoping for the best for Jake Sanderson.

In the final minutes of what ended up as a 5-3 victory for Ottawa, the defenceman was tangled up while battling for the puck along the boards when San Jose Sharks centre Tyler Toffoli caught him with a high crosscheck.

There was no call on the play, and the Sharks went on to score moments later.

Sanderson exited to the dressing rooms following the incident and did not return. He finished with an assist, four shots, two blocked shots and a hit in 26 minutes of ice time in the victory as Ottawa snapped a five-game skid.

After the game, Sens head coach Travis Green did not have an update regarding the defenceman’s status.

Sanderson, 22, has logged six goals and 30 assists through 57 games played this season. Should he be out for an extended period of time, there will be big skates to fill as Sanderson leads all Ottawa blueliners for goals this season, is third on the team in assists and fifth for points.

The American was originally drafted fifth overall by the Sens in 2020.

They’ll return to action on Monday as they visit the Washington Capitals.