Senators: Chabot Returns to Lineup; Korpisalo Returns to Columbus

The big news from Senators practice on Thursday was the club making it official that Thomas Chabot will return to the lineup Friday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. 

Smith talked about what Chabot brings to the lineup. 

"He skates you out of trouble," Smith said. "He can pass you out of trouble. He's good on the power play. He's dynamic. And one of our biggest issues has been zone time in the O-zone and our breakouts, not being able to clear; it's on the wall too much. I think you'll see that it improves drastically with Chabot playing."

Chabot is glad to be back after missing the past ten games with a hand/wrist injury. 

 "Obviously, very excited," Chabot said. "There's nothing worse than sitting upstairs and watching the guys go out there and battle. You just want to be out there with them. So, obviously, looking forward to it."

Chabot told The Hockey News Ottawa about the challenges of playing on the right side when you're a left-shot defenceman.

"I've worked a lot on it," Chabot said. "It's hard when you play so many years in a row on your left side to go back on the off side. Obviously, offensively and everything, it's fun because you're always facing the play. But defensively, breakouts, rims, and certain situations, you always tend to be on your back hand. Any defensive coach would tell you that the back hand is not always great. But it's about finding ways to use your forehand as much as you can, and I think it's been going pretty well. "

Meanwhile, goaltender Joonas Korpisalo is expected to face Columbus, his former team, for the first time since he was traded to the LA Kings at the trade deadline. Korpisalo said he has had the Columbus game marked on his calendar.

"Of course, first time back in Columbus since I got traded." Korpisalo said. "So, yeah, been waiting for this." 

He later told The Hockey News Ottawa where he felt his game was at right now.

 "Pretty good," Korpisalo said. "But, obviously, you don't want to let in three, four, five goals every night. So, there's stuff to be cleaned up. And overall, it's alright, but I want to be better."

Meanwhile, Ridly Greig, according to Smith, is a "no" for the two Senators games this weekend. Among forwards, Greig took the least amount of reps at practice.

Senators lines at Thursday practice:

Tkachuk-Norris-Giroux

Joseph-Stutzle-Batherson

Kubalik-Chartier- Tarasenko

Kelly-Highmore-MacEwen

Chabot-Zub

Chychrun-Sanderson

Brannstrom-Hamonic

Extras: JBD and Greig

Korpisalo

Forsberg