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The Ottawa Senators will likely have to go on without captain Daniel Alfredsson, but Matt Carkner is eligible to return for Game 4 and it certainly appears that will be the case.

NO UPDATE ON ALFREDSSON

The Ottawa Senators will likely have to go on without captain Daniel Alfredsson.

The 39-year-old winger wasn’t on the ice at Scotiabank Place for the morning skate and Senators head coach Paul MacLean confirmed he won’t be in the lineup for Game 4 against the New York Rangers (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7:30 p.m. ET).

Felled by a concussion he suffered after getting elbowed in the head by New York Rangers winger Carl Hagelin in Game 2 on Saturday night, Alfredsson isn’t ready to play and there’s no timetable on his return, either.

MacLean was extremely tight-lipped.

“At this time, there is no update and no change at this point,” he said.

MacLean told reporters Tuesday that Alfredsson had suffered a “setback,” so assume that’s the case. His teammates certainly sound like they’re prepared to play without him.

“When you have a player of his calibre out, you need other people to step up,” Senators centre Jason Spezza said. “We’re, obviously, a better team with him in the lineup.

“It’s a good opportunity for other guys to make an impact.”

It would appear Bobby Butler will remain in the lineup in place of Alfredsson. He played well in Game 3, but the club did have Binghamton callup Mike Hoffman on the ice for the morning skate.

CARKNER SERVES SENTENCE

Ottawa’s Matt Carkner is eligible to return for Game 4 and it certainly appears that will be the case.

Carkner served his one-game suspension for pounding Rangers forward Brian Boyle in Game 2. The series is hard-hitting and the Senators could use his presence.

“It’s a great to be part of the playoffs,” said Carkner, who played only 39 seconds in Game 2 before being ejected after the first period incident.

“The energy and the excitement is all there. For me, I’m just really glad to be able to get back in and help the team.”

Both head coaches are in playoff mode and aren’t willing to reveal changes. However, judging by the morning skate, Carkner will likely take the spot of blue-liner Matt Gilroy. Rangers head coach John Tortella wouldn’t get into his changes, either.

Asked why everything is so secretive in the playoffs, Tortorella wouldn’t bite: “I don’t want to tell you.”

EYEING UP BOYLE

Tortorella has been happy to see Boyle step up and score goals in the series, with three goals in the first three games.

“He’s been doing this now for a couple of years,” Tortorella said. “Last year, the puck ended up going in.

“This year, he has gone about his business and he’s been real good throughout the year. The puck just hasn’t found the net.

“Late in the year and in the first few games [of the series], it’s found its way. It’s a credit to Brian.

“I’ve told our guys two years ago, I thought he was a minor-leaguer. I thought he was going to Hartford and he has simply kept on growing as a player.”

NEW YORK RANGERS

Forward Lines

Chris Kreider-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Derek Stepan

Defence Pairings

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto-Stu Bickel

Goaltenders

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

OTTAWA SENATORS

Forward Lines

Milan Michalek-Jason Spezza-Jesse Winchester
Nick Foligno-Kyle Turris-Bobby Butler
Colin Greening-Zack Smith-Chris Neil
Jim O’Brien-Zenon Konopka-Erik Condra

Defence Pairings

Filip Kuba-Erik Karlsson
Jared Cowen-Sergei Gonchar
Chris Phillips-Matt Carkner

Goaltenders

Craig Anderson
Ben Bishop

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