Ottawa Senators defenceman Nikita Zaitsev left Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with an apparent lower-body injury and will not return, the team announced.
Injury update: After sustaining a lower-body injury in the first period of tonight's game at Tampa Bay, #Sens defenceman Nikita Zaitsev will not return.
— Sens Communications (@Media_Sens) December 17, 2021
Zaitsev went awkwardly into the end boards and his right skate/foot got jammed.
Despite being able to get to the bench himself, Zaitsev needed assistance from a trainer to get to the locker room.
There is no official word whether he is going to return to the game. In 21 games this season, Zaitsev has one goal and one assist.
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