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Sens’ Ryan not ruling out Tuesday’s game vs. Islanders

Ottawa Senators v Winnipeg Jets

WINNIPEG, MB - MARCH 8: Bobby Ryan #6 of the Ottawa Senators skates down the ice during warmup before an NHL game against the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre on March 8, 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Marianne Helm/Getty Images)

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Senators forward Bobby Ryan wouldn’t rule himself out for Tuesday night when Ottawa visits the New York Islanders.

Ryan missed Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning due to a broken finger.

The 27-year-old said he suffered the injury during his first shift of the second period in Friday night’s 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Ryan took slashes from both Brian Campbell and Tomas Fleischmann towards the end of his shift.

“It hurt. It’s a broken finger right? We knew it was going to hurt,” said Ryan following Monday’s practice. “It was a matter of trying to see how comfortable we could get (the finger) so I could do more than just stick handle and float shots in there.

“There’s some optimistic signs if we can continue to get progress on it maybe we can get there, but the end game is to play as quick as possible, if it’s tomorrow, who knows?”

Ryan, who is in his second season with the Senators, has five goals and 13 points in his first 21 games this season.

Given the fact that he wasn’t interested in getting involved physically during Monday’s practice, it’s hard to see Ryan suiting up Tuesday.

“I tried to stay away from some conflict out there in the corners and stuff cause I didn’t even want to lift a stick,” he said. “That’s one of the things, if you’re going to put guys in a position where they’re going to have to cover for you all night, you don’t want to do that.

“You’d rather miss a couple games, get back to where you’re comfortable going into those situations.”

Along with the Senators training staff, Ryan has re-worked a glove to give him added protection.

“You can’t break it any worse, that was what was said to me,” he said. “This issue is just how comfortable I can get to where I can play through the pain.”

The Senators conclude their home-and-home with the Islanders in Ottawa on Thursday night.

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