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“We haven’t practised, it’s like a broken record for the last month because of the schedule, and it’s unfair to throw (Kuemper) in there as a backup when we haven’t practised and he plays once every two weeks, and he goes in and we’re asking him to do the right things,” Boudreau said.

“Alex has done a great job down in Iowa. Two shutouts in the last week … Right now, he’s one of the best goalies in the American Hockey League playing every day so he’s feeling it. Thirdly, we can’t keep going with (Dubnyk). At one point, we have to give him a rest. I know our record is what it is, but it was a planned situation to give him a chance.”

Stalock, a St. Paul native, was happy to get the chance.

“It’s super exciting … to play with the people they have in this room is pretty special,” Stalock said.

THE LAST WORDS: The Senators announced the signing of prospect goalie Marcus Hogberg, a second-round pick in 2013. He was scheduled to become a UFA on June 1 but he’s agreed to an entry-level deal and will join the club’s AHL affiliate in Binghamton on the weekend. The 22-year-old Hogberg, who suited up for Linkopings HC in the Swedish Elite League this season, will make his North American debut. It will be interesting to see what Ottawa decides to do with Binghamton goalies Matt O’Connor and Chris Driedger at the end of the season. Driedger wasn’t very good in the club’s 6-1 loss to Syracuse in Colin White’s debut Wednesday … Yes, the Senators are short-handed with plenty of injuries, but goalie Craig Anderson noted the players can’t let that concern them. “We want to focus on what we have and not what we have not,” said Anderson. “I think that’s the key for us mentally as far as staying focused. We have to control who we have and we can’t control who we don’t.” The Senators had Viktor Stalberg back after he missed two games with an upper-body injury but were without winger Alex Burrows, who is also dealing with an upper-body injury. Boucher indicated Burrows could play Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets, but he had no further updates on winger Clarke MacArthur (concussion) and defenceman Marc Methot (finger). Winger Chris Neil, who is out with a broken finger, has been skating in Ottawa and is closing in on a return.

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter: @sungarrioch