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The significant shakeup in Ottawa could come as early as Saturday night. But to many people's surprise, the big move might come in the crease -- and not in the front office.

The Senators could have top prospect Brian Elliott in goal on Saturday when the club hosts the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Place.

Head coach Craig Hartsburg indicated that Elliott, who was the AHL's goalie of the month in December, might be ready to make the leap to the NHL to help his struggling team.

"There's a good chance; that's an option," Hartsburg said when asked about the likelihood of calling up Elliott this weekend. Adding to the intrigue was the fact that the head coach did not announce his starting goaltender for Saturday's game against the Rangers -- which has been standard protocol for Hartsburg all season long.

Ottawa’s goaltending struggled during their recent eight-game road trip, in which they allowed 33 goals and won just one game. Alex Auld and Martin Gerber each made four starts during the trip and Hartsburg was clearly not impressed with his goaltending.

"They need more saves, you can't hide it," Hartsburg said of his netminders. "There are some pucks going in at certain points in the game and you need saves"

The battered club did receive some good news on Friday as defenceman Filip Kuba is set to return to the lineup after missing all eight games of the road trip with a groin injury. Kuba had been the club's most consistent defenceman this season, collecting 22 points before his injury.

"It will be a big help for us for sure. We missed him, that's an understatement," Hartsburg said.

It does not appear that defenceman Anton Volchenkov, who suffered an upper body injury Jan. 3 at Toronto, will be ready to return to the lineup this weekend.

This has been a strange and tense week for the Senators, highlighted by a statement from club owner Eugene Melnyk on Wednesday denying that he was going to replace Hartsburg and GM Bryan Murray with Pat Quinn and Bob Nicholson.

Following last night's loss in Boston, Hartsburg was critical of his star players after Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza had costly turnovers in the third period.

On Friday, Hartsburg pointed out that everyone on the team has had their struggles this season and that he wasn't just pointing the finger at Spezza and Alfredsson.

"I think the biggest problem is having a total commitment from every guy for 60 minutes," Hartsburg said. "Last night Alfie and Spezza turned pucks over. It's not just one guy or one line. Everyone seems to take their turn."

And Hartsburg also shouldered the blame on the coaching staff, as the Senators sit in last place in the Northeast Division and have the worst road record in the NHL.

"We have to take that responsibility as coaches. You don't win in this league unless you play as a team," he added.

Nick Foligno, who left Thursday's loss early in the third period with an injured shoulder, is reportedly feeling better Friday morning and appears ready to play on the weekend.