  The Sens will have Milan Michalek in the lineup against the Panthers on Thursday. (QMI Agency/Tony Caldwell)
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Milan Michalek wasn't on the ice Thursday at Scotiabank Place.
But he will be in the Senators lineup.
The forward was giving his surgically repaired knee a rest before facing the Florida Panthers as Ottawa tries to string together two straight victories for the first time this season.
Michalek, who had off-season surgery to repair the knee, didn’t practise Wednesday and is going to save his energy for the game. The Senators don’t want him bothered anymore by what’s already an issue.
“We’re just making sure that he’s able to play (Thursday). We don’t want to be in a situation where we aggravate it in the morning skate,” said Senators coach Cory Clouston. “It’s a process, I’ve said this many times, with (Michalek) and Alex (Kovalev).
“They had major knee surgery and we just want to make sure we take all the precautions so they’re able to play the game. Alex’s knee is not bothering him. He’s getting no inflamation. We just want to make sure that Milan is fine.”
The Senators are coming off a 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Tuesday.
Goaltender Brian Elliott will make his sixth straight start. He has a 2-2-0 lifetime record against Florida with 3.27 GAA.
He has been sharp lately.
“He’s confident in the net. If there happens to be a ‘so-called' bad goal get by him, the next one doesn’t,” said Clouston. “He’s been there when we’ve need him the most and he’s been really solid for us.”
