The Ottawa Senators confirmed Friday that defenseman Jake Sanderson will not play in Game 4 versus the Carolina Hurricanes.
Head coach Travis Green provided a grim update following the team's morning skate, noting that Sanderson is "not doing very well" after sustaining the injury in Thursday night's 2-1 loss.
Jake Sanderson has a concussion and won't play in Game 4, per Travis Green.
— Joshua Clipperton (@JClipperton_CP) April 24, 2026
Artem Zub (undisclosed) is also unavailable. #Sens
The concussion is the direct result of a high hit from Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall during the second period of Game 3. Hall was only assessed a two-minute minor for roughing on the play.
“It’s pretty obvious why [Sanderson] left the game,” Green told the media postgame. “I just don’t understand how there’s not a five-minute major called on a hit to the head. It’s a blatant hit to the head. The kind of hit you don’t want to see. It’s ridiculous there wasn’t a review.”
The loss of Sanderson is amplified by the continued absence of Artem Zub, who has been out since Game 1 with a lower-body injury. Sanderson has two assists so far in the series, both coming in the double-overtime loss in Game 2 on Monday.
The Senators trail the series 3-0. Without Sanderson to log half the game, Ottawa will need a miracle at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night to avoid a first-round sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes.