The injury bug continues to take a big bite out of the Ottawa Senators, the latest victim is tough guy Chris Neil.
The Sens will have to do without their leader in penalty minutes for up to two weeks with a knee injury.
"I don't know how bad it is yet, Neil admitted to reporters following the Senators morning skate Wednesday. We're going to have some tests done today to see the severity of it and we'll go from there."
Neil suffered the injury during the first period of Wednesday night's loss to the Devils when he collided with Justin Peters. Neil went heavily to the ice and headed immediately to the Senators dressing room and did not return.
While the collision appeared to be a deliberate knee-on-knee hit, Neil did not believe Peters deliberately tried to injure him.
"If his knee was out, I don't think it was intentional," Neil stated. "It's part of the game, I take my lumps and I give my lumps."
Neil was able to put the injury in perspective.
"If you miss some games now it's not as bad as close to the playoffs."
In 22 games this season the 30-year old Neil has four goals, one assist and 76 penalty minutes.
In addition forward Mike Fisher will miss his second straight game as he continues to recover from an undisclosed, upper-body injury.
The Senators did receive some good news as forward Alex Kovalev has returned from Russia, where he attended the funeral of his mother-in-law, and will be in the lineup tonight when Ottawa hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Brian Elliott will get his second straight start in net as he replaces Pascal Leclaire who is sidelined with a fractured jaw.