Milan Michalek Returns After Missing Five Games

According to Nicolas St-Pierre of CKOI 104.7, via Twitter, Michalek will play tonight on the top line. To see what the full Ottawa Senators lines look like, click here.

* * *

12/23/11: Great news out of Ottawa as Milan Michalek is expected to return to the lineup shortly. According to The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, via Twitter, Michalek passed all of his baseline tests and will be ready to play on Tuesday, December 27th against the Montreal Canadiens.

We should have an official confirmation from the team on game day but this news is certainly a festivus miracle!

* * *

Milan Michalek continues to skate by himself but has yet to take full line rushes with the team since getting concussed. Due to that fact, the sniper will not return before the Christmas break according to TSN’s Brent Wallace, via Twitter.

The Senators play tonight and tomorrow — which Michalek is clearly ruled out for. They then have three more games to round out the calendar year in which the 27-year-0ld has a good chance of suiting up.

Prior to getting hurt, the Jindrichuv Hradec native scored 19 goals and 25 points; his goal totals still lead the team and sit one behind Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Toews for the League lead.

* * *

Last night, Ottawa Senators and NHL leading goal scorer Milan Michalek suffered a concussion in a freak collision with All-Star defender Erik Karlsson. Although the scoring winger felt better this morning, the team will follow protocol and hold him out for at least the next week — meaning he will not play tonight.

The recently-turned 27-year-old is a vital cog in the surprising Senators’ offense and will certainly be missed. In fact, his 19 goals account for 21 percent of the team’s total offense.

In the meantime, expect the inconsistent Bobby Butler to draw back into the lineup and for the team to try and win with a more team-oriented style.