OTTAWA -- Already all but eliminated from playoff contention, the Ottawa Senators will now play the remainder of the season without their leading goal scorer. The Senators announced forward Bobby Ryan would undergo surgery in Montreal Thursday to repair a sports hernia. He will miss the final ten games of the regular season. "Bobby has been dealing with the discomfort of this injury since it was sustained in November," said Senators general manager Bryan Murray. "Both Bobby and our medical staff were hopeful that we could hold off from having surgery until the completion of the season, but he aggravated the condition last Saturday in Dallas to the point that surgery is now the only option." Ryan, who was acquired last July from the Anaheim Ducks, scored a team-leading 23 goals and had 48 points in 70 games. Ryan scored 18 of his 23 goals by Dec. 31 and there was much speculation as to what was the cause of his recent lack of productivity. It now appears the injury played a big factor. "Well he certainly started very, very well," said Murray on the Senators team website. "He shoots the puck awfully well, he scored some goals, his line obviously carried the team early on. He was a big part of that. "I think after the hernia started to get aggravated a little bit he seemed to shoot the puck a bit less. Overall, very happy and satisfied with his overall play and we know hell be a real contributor going forward." Ryans teammates were aware of the discomfort the winger was dealing with and offered their support. "He battled through it and tried to work through it and it was something they were trying to give him help and he played well through it," said linemate Kyle Turris. "It will be nice when hes healthy and feeling better and able to get back at it. "We knew it had been nagging him for a while and for him to battle through it and continue to try playing is something that we all respect him for." Ryans injury has created an opportunity for Mark Stone, who was recalled from Binghamton in the American Hockey League after Ryan aggravated the injury last weekend. "Theres still lots of hockey to be played and I want to make an impression and I want to stay up here," said Stone, who has a goal and an assist in his last two games. "I want to continue to play consistent hockey and stay up here for those ten games and hopefully make a good audition for next year." While the Senators will have to host the Chicago Blackhawks without Ryan on Friday, they will likely have Craig Anderson back in goal against the defending Stanley Cup champions. Anderson missed the last seven games after suffering an upper body injury due to a collision with teammate Milan Michalek in a game against the Nashville Predators March 10. Andersons injury came at a terrible time for the Senators, who were still within reach of one of the final wild card spots in the Eastern Conference. The Senators lost their next five games without Anderson and saw any playoff hope disappear. Anderson has served as Robin Lehners backup for the past two games and says hes ready to face the Blackhawks if called upon. Senators head coach Paul MacLean wouldnt name his starter for Fridays game. "If called upon Ill be the guy that gets in there, but well wait to see what the coach says," said Anderson. "Its been a while. I want to make sure when I get back in there that physically I feel 100 per cent and am able to help the team achieve victory that night." Defenceman Chris Phillips should also return to the lineup after missing the last game. Tampas Ryan Malone hit Phillips in a game Monday, and the two crashed hard into the boards. Phillips missed Tuesdays game against the Florida Panthers, but says he feels good and is ready to return. While the Senators are no longer in playoff contention Phillips says theres numerous reasons for the players to be at their best. "We still have games to play," said Phillips. "Everybodys fighting for a job, a contract, trying to prove to coaches and management that you should be here as well as the pride of wearing these jerseys. Were going to go out until the seasons over, whenever that may be, and we want to go out and play as good as we can on a nightly basis." Notes: C Mika Zibanejad says he should be ready to play Friday after missing the last game. Tomorrows game marks the start of a five-game home stand for the Senators. Dusty Baker Jersey . The 30-year-old Kottaras served as Kansas Citys backup catcher last season after being claimed off waivers from Oakland in January. Patrick Weigel Jersey . Nothing pretty. But this is 1/4 World Cup. Usually plays out this way. https://www.cheapbraves.com/2343o-hoyt-w...sey-braves.html. - Steve Stricker usually doesnt show up at a tournament on Sunday. Billy Hamilton Jersey . Fans can also watch the game on the newly launched TSN GO (currently available to Bell TV and Rogers customers), which gives TSN subscribers the freedom to live stream the networks programming from their smartphones, tablets, and computers at no additional charge – just as they would watch Canadas Sports Leader on TV at home. The following week, MLS ON TSN is at BMO Field in Toronto to deliver live coverage of TFCs home opener vs. D.C. United on Saturday, March 22 at 4:30 p. Glenn Hubbard Braves Jersey . The 26-year-old Sobotka injured his left leg playing for the St. Louis Blues in a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. The Blues said he would not recover from the injury in time for the Olympic tournament.NASHVILLE -- Tennessee has signed quarterback Charlie Whitehurst to a multi-year contract in a deal that reunites him with Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt. The 31-year-old Whitehurst spent the last two years in San Diego, where Whisenhunt worked as offensive co-ordinator in 2013. The Titans announced the deal Thursday night. "He brings a familiarity with the offence we are installing," Whisenhunt said in a statement. "He will be a great resource for Jake and the entire offence. And as a player, he understands what we want to get done. Working with him over the last year and seeing how he works and his ability gives me confidence that he is the right fit to fill this role." In his career, Whitehurst is 84 of 155 for 805 yards passing with four interceptions and three touchdown passes in 13 NFL games. His likely role in Tennessee is backing up Jake Locker, who has missed 14 games due to injuries the last two years. The arrival of Whitehurst puts Ryan Fitzpatricks future with the Titans in question. Fitzpatrick signed a two-year deal last March to serve as Lockers main backup. Fitzpatrick started nine games for the Titans last season and went 217 of 350 for 2,454 yards with 14 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.dddddddddddd Fitzpatrick, also 31, has thrown for 16,790 yards, 106 touchdowns and 93 interceptions in 85 career games. Fitzpatrick has 77 career NFL starts. Whitehurst has only four career starts and has spent most of his career backing up Philip Rivers in San Diego. Whitehurst originally joined the Chargers as a third-round draft pick out of Clemson in 2006. He spent four seasons with the Chargers before getting traded to Seattle in 2010 for two draft picks. He started four games with the Seahawks, including a victory in the final week of the 2010 season that enabled the Seahawks to clinch the NFC West title. He rejoined San Diego in 2012. General manager Ruston Webster said Whitehurst not only knows a lot about Whisenhunts offence but has been around some outstanding NFL quarterbacks. "He is (a) smart guy with a good arm, and he will add to our offensive group as a veteran quarterback," Webster said. Whitehurst is the son of former NFL player David Whitehurst, who played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1977-83. ' ' '