The Senators will be without Daniel Alfredsson on Thursday night and he could be out longer.
Head coach Cory Clouston told reporters on Thursday his captain has a "small fracture" in his jaw.
Alfredsson said on Thursday he hopes to return next week, but the Senators are unsure exactly how long he will be out.
"It's a fracture, it's just has to heal," said Alfredsson on Thursday morning. "I need time away from contact for a little bit."
The Senators host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night and Clouston said Chris Kelly will take Alfredsson's place on the top line.
"It means we lose a pretty good player and our leader, but it also means a real good opportunity and a challenge for the rest of the team," Clouston told the Canadian Press about Alfredsson's injury. "We may have some more ice time for certain players and different roles for certain players."
Alfredsson was hit by a puck in his jaw on Tuesday night in a loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Ottawa has a disappointing season but have shown signs of life over the last two weeks having won five of their last six games. The Senators sit 11th in the Eastern Conference with 53 points heading into Thursday's game.
Alfredsson has 17 goal and 35 assists over his 55 games played this season.