Senators' Zibanejad to miss final two games

Saturday, 04.12.2014 / 12:38 PM | Sean Farrell - NHL.com Correspondent

OTTAWA -- Ottawa Senators forward Mika Zibanejad will not play either of the final two games of the regular season, including Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Ottawa coach Paul MacLean shed no new light on why Zibanejad was sent to a hospital Thursday at the end of the Senators' 2-1 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils.

Zibanejad assisted on Mike Hoffman's second-period goal Thursday but did not play after his second shift of the third period.

"Well, he was here today and he still has to have further tests going into next, so he's still out of the lineup," MacLean said after Ottawa held an optional morning skate prior to their last game of the season at Canadian Tire Centre.

Friday, Senators defenseman Marc Methot and forwards Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur were invited to play for Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Belarus.

"I think the last time I went I was the only guy from my team (the Columbus Blue Jackets) playing for Canada so this is going to be a cool experience," Methot said. "I'll be able to fly with a couple of guys I know and it always makes it a little less uncomfortable when you go over there and you meet all these guys, and some of them that you've had some pretty big rivalries with throughout the season, so I'm excited.

"I'm happy for them. They obviously deserve the accolades too. They've had some great seasons so it'll be fun and I'm looking forward to it."

Ottawa completes its schedule Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Maple Leafs did not hold a morning skate Saturday prior to their final regular season game.

Here are the projected lineups:

MAPLE LEAFS

James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel

Mason Raymond - Nazem Kadri - David Clarkson

Nikolai Kulemin - Jay McClement - Troy Bodie

Carter Ashton - Colton Orr

Tim Gleason - Dion Phaneuf

Jake Gardiner - Cody Franson

Morgan Rielly - Carl Gunnarsson