Needing to sit one of his 13 healthy forwards Saturday, coach Dave Cameron delivered the bad news to a veteran who has the dubious honour of leading the team in minor penalties.
That would be Zack Smith, whose fourth line centre role was assumed by Curtis Lazar for the game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Defenceman Cody Ceci also missed the game with a "lower body" injury. In his absence, Chris Wideman returned to the lineup for his fourth NHL game.
Asked if Ceci would be out long-term, Cameron said he "hopes not." It seems unlikely, as the 21-year-old blueliner was on the ice for the optional morning skate, although he moved cautiously and stayed at the opposite end of the ice from his teammates.