Senators defenceman Nikita Zaitsev to miss four weeks with heel injury

Senators' head coach D.J. Smith told reporters that Nikita Zaitsev will miss four weeks with a heel injury, and hopes that their defensive depth will be able to fill the hole as Thomas Chabot's partner.

Ottawa Senators defenceman Nikita Zaitsev is expected to miss four weeks with a heel injury, according to head coach D.J. Smith via NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman.

Zaitsev left Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a lower-body injury and did not return. 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.

In 21 games this season, the Russian defenceman has one goal and one assist.

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