OTTAWA - Ottawa Senators head coach Dave Cameron had some optimistic news Wednesday regarding the status of goaltender Craig Anderson.

Anderson suffered a lower-body injury in Ottawa's 4-3 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night. And while Anderson remains day-to-day, Cameron said it seems the injury wasn't as serious as originally thought.

"The terminology I got was it's not as bad as it appeared," Cameron said.

Cameron wasn't sure if Anderson would dress for Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

"If there's any doubt he won't," said Cameron. "It would be almost precautionary but I didn't talk to (head athletic therapist Gerry Townend) so I don't want to say one thing and he does the opposite."

The Senators are hopeful Anderson won't be out long. He has been one of their most consistent performers this season and is a big reason why the club remains in playoff contention. Heading into Wednesday's action, Ottawa is five points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final Eastern Conference post-season berth.

Anderson has a 27-20-4 record, .917 save percentage and 2.81 goals-against average.

"He's been playing tremendous for us throughout the whole year so it's going to be a big blow but at the same time that's why we have (Andrew) Hammond here," said Senators captain Erik Karlsson. "He's proven to be good in this league for a long period of time."

Hammond replaced Anderson on Tuesday with Ottawa trailing 3-1. He stopped 17 shots and allowed the Senators to tie the game before losing in the 11th round of the shootout. It was Hammond's first appearance since Feb. 11.

The 30-year-old rose to prominence last season when recalled from AHL Binghamton to replace Anderson and Robin Lehner, who were both injured. Hammond posted a 20-1-2 record down the stretch to lead Ottawa into the playoffs.

While the Senators don't like making comparisons to last season, it seems unavoidable given recent events.

"Obviously it's going to happen but for me that's not necessarily my focus," Hammond said. "It's more about just preparing for each game.

"I did that last year too and we had success. My focus right now is just taking it game by game and making sure I'm ready each night . . . we'll see what happens."

Forward Clarke MacArthur will require more time before returning to action.

MacArthur has been sidelined with a concussion since Oct. 14 but resumed practising a few weeks back. He took his baseline test Tuesday but doctors weren't satisfied with the results and MacArthur will likely remain sidelined for another two weeks.

MacArthur, who had hoped to play Thursday, will continue practising and was disappointed by the news.

"They assured me I'll be able to play this year at some point," he said. "But they want to see me symptom-free for a couple more weeks, or whatever it is.

"I still want to play. I know that might sound like a lower percentage thing to do possibly, but for me it's not. I want to get back and get a few games in."

Ottawa signed veteran centre Scott Gomez to a one-year, US$575,000 deal Wednesday.

Gomez, 36, began the season with St. Louis, registering a goal and seven assists in 21 games before being released. The 15-year NHL veteran signed a professional tryout in January with the AHL's Hershey Bears, recording four goals and 20 assists in 18 games before exercising his release Tuesday.

"We feel the addition of Scott brings in a veteran presence and provides us depth at the centre position for the remainder of the season," said Ottawa GM Bryan Murray. "We wanted to bring in another centre, be it via trade or signing and Scott's addition will accomplish that for us.

"While we know he won't be available should we be able to get into the playoffs, we're confident Scott can provide us some valuable minutes until Kyle Turris is able to return to the lineup."

Turris is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain.

NOTES — Karlsson was named to Sweden's World Cup roster Wednesday.