Ottawa's training facilities had been closed since Nov. 15, when its games at the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 16, against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 18, and against the New York Rangers on Nov. 20, were postponed.
"We, all players, coaches, management, for the most part every one of us has grown up wanting to be in hockey our whole life and this is what we do," Senators coach D.J. Smith said. "From] August to hopefully June, you want to be at the rink. It's been an unfortunate time where we had to be shut down, but it's great to be back. … It's not the ideal situation, but you know what, safety came first and we got it right."
The game against the Devils has been rescheduled for Dec. 6 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The other two have yet to be rescheduled.
"This is uncharted waters," Smith said. "I've talked to other coaches around the League and to players that have gone through it. Some came back with no issues. Some came back the first game and it felt horrible. So, we're going to have to see as we go here, and [we may have to] give guys a day off here or there or put some fresh guys in to give them the time to recoup."
Among the 10 players who entered COVID-19 protocol, eight returned Saturday: forwards Austin Watson, Alex Formenton, Dylan Gambrell and Connor Brown, defensemen Nick Holden, Victor Mete and Josh Brown, and goalie Matt Murray. Forward
[Drake Batherson
, who leads the team with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists), and defenseman
Nikita Zaitsev
still remain in protocol.
"I think everybody's joking around about how it almost feels like the first day of training camp, just kind of seeing everybody and getting back in the groove," forward Brady Tkachuk said. "It's nice to be back. Nice to be back into a little bit of routine here.
"It [stinks] not playing, but under the circumstances, you understand. It's about the health and safety of not only our team and staff, but the people around us, too. I think those calls were necessary to keep us safe."
The Senators (4-10-1), who had not practiced since Nov. 5 and have not played since a 4-0 loss the Calgary Flames on Nov. 14, are scheduled to play their first game since the pause at the Colorado Avalanche on Monday (8:30 p.m. ET; SN1, ALT, RDS, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Smith, who said he wasn't sure if Batherson and Zaitsev would travel for the game, is expecting some fatigue following the first practice.
"I'm going to go around and ask the guys after today how they feel, certainly later tonight and tomorrow morning about how they feel after the first practice," Smith said. "Looks wise, the guys that had it look like they were fine. Some of the guys that didn't skate for five days are feeling just the same. So is it because you were sick, or is it because you haven't skated in five days? So, we'll know that when the game starts."
Ottawa's games were the first in the NHL postponed this season due to COVID-19 concerns. The NHL had 55 games postponed last season; all were made up as part of a 56-game schedule for each of the 31 teams.
"It's really nice to get back out there on the ice," Watson said. "It's been a little bit tough. I think I've only played like two games here in the last nine months or something like that. Just a little bit of bad luck, a couple [injuries] and COVID. Considering all that, I feel pretty good.
"I know D.J. and [Tkachuk] and [defenseman Thomas Chabot] have talked at length about no excuses here, but it's really true. There's a lot worse things. People are going through some real tough times over the last two years."
Monday begins a stretch of four games in six days for the Senators, who play at the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, at the Anaheim Ducks on Friday and at the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
"We'll play ourselves back into it," Smith said. "The League doesn't get easy. No one's feeling sorry for you. No one's going to let up for you. So, we're going to have to stick together. And whoever's the most fit or whoever is going the best is going to have to go for now."
NHL.com independent correspondent Callum Fraser contributed to this report
