Chris Phillips will probably return from his undisclosed lower-body injury on Friday. "In conversations with him, I think we're going to make a final decision tomorrow, but it appears likely that he will play," said coach Paul MacLean Thursday. Phillips missed Tuesday's game because of the ailment, but he participated in a full practice Thursday.

Chris Phillips didn't play Tuesday because of his undisclosed ailment. He had played in 106 straight games prior to missing Ottawa's 5-0 loss to Philadelphia. Joe Corvo played in his place. Consider Phillips as day-to-day.

Chris Phillips (undisclosed) is being called a "game-time" decision on Tuesday. It hasn't been revealed what Phillips is suffering from, but the ailment is believed to be minor. He has five assists in 17 games this season.

Chris Phillips received a maintenance day Monday. Coach Paul MacLean expects the veteran defender to be fine and Ottawa doesn't play until Wednesday anyway. Phillips has two assists, 19 hits and 16 shots in eight games this season.

Chris Phillips is slated to form a veteran defense pairing with Joe Corvo this season. Phillips, 35, is the longest-serving member of the Ottawa Senators and only Corvo, who is 36 years of age, is older than him. Phillips doesn't mind skating on Ottawa's third pairing and he likes filling in for and helping out his teammates. "I accept it and I'm going to do the best job I can," he said. "I'm past that point of worrying about what number I am, how much ice time I'm going to get and all that stuff."

Chris Phillips is another viable candidate to become Ottawa's next captain. He is a veteran player who everyone looks up to, but he may not get the role because he has only one year left on current deal and his future with the club after that is unclear. Jason Spezza, who is believed to be the top contender to earn Ottawa's captaincy, has two seasons remaining on his contract.

The Ottawa Senators are psychologically prepared to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the NHL's playoffs, veteran defenseman Chris Phillips says. The Penguins earned the right to meet the Sens by eliminating the New York Islanders Saturday night with a 4-3 overtime victory. "It would be a tough series (against Pittsburtgh)," Phillips said, "but yeah, we welcome the challenge. We've played them a few times (over) the last years, and I would expect no different ... a lot of energy and an exciting series."

Chris Phillips didn't skate Tuesday but he's expected to be all right to play in Game 1 Thursday night. He tweaked his knee a bit on Sunday and ended up playing just 3:49 of ice time against Boston in the Senators' regular season finale. Phillips doesn't offer much from a fantasy perspective anymore, but he still can contribute in leagues that credit hits and blocks.

Chris Phillips potted a goal in the Senators' 3-2 shootout win over the Devils Monday night. Phillips is regarded as a defensive defenseman but is actually enjoying a good fantasy season in 2013 for his standards. He's a borderline blueliner in standard leagues, but his value increases in leagues that reward blocked shots and hits.

Chris Phillips brushed off retired veteran Mark Recchi's recent comments that the players' union will get worse offers from the NHL the longer the lockout goes. "I guess I would say it's an uninformed answer, unless he's now tied in with ownership somewhere or wants to get involved with ownership and trying to take that side," said Phillips. "Unless you're on the calls and know what's going on all the time, I don't know what those comments are based on. Because he's not involved." Phillips still believes there is room in the negotiations for "some give and take."