By Ian Mendes, Sportsnet.ca

The Ottawa Senators will be without Anton Volchenkov for the next four weeks after he suffered a broken right index finger.

The defenceman left Thursday’s game against Nashville in the first period after he blocked a J.P. Dumont slapshot with his right hand.

Volchenkov currently leads the NHL with 96 blocked shots, after leading the league in that category last season.

John Paddock said the club will now use Christoph Schubert as a defenceman to replace Volchenkov on the blueline.

“This is an opportunity for Schubie to step up and show he can play,” said Paddock. “This is his opportunity and a challenge for him to play in this role,” said Paddock.

The Senators were also without two of their top forwards for practice on Friday morning. Daniel Alfredsson, who is recovering from a groin injury and Mike Fisher did not skate today. But Paddock indicated both players were just taking the day off to rest and will be in the lineup tomorrow afternoon against the Rangers.

Paddock also announced that Martin Gerber will start in goal on Saturday, despite allowing six goals on Thursday against Nashville. Paddock said that part of his decision was based on the fact that Gerber is 2-0-0 against the Rangers this season, which included the team’s only shutout on October 6th.