"Professional hockey is no place for sentimentality.

Take Brian Elliott, for example.

He may feel downright sorry that Ottawa Senators teammate and fellow goalie Pascal Leclaire has been felled by another injury, this one a groin pull that will keep him out at least until next week.

That said, it's also a terrific opportunity for Elliott to reach out and win the No. 1 job, so it's a chance he has to embrace.

"It's kind of how it works in every league," Elliott said Friday. "You see a lot of injuries and guys getting chances. Sometimes you take advantage of them and thrive, and sometimes you don't. There's still pressure and you really can't think of how you got there, just what you're going to do when you've got there.

"Every time you get in there, it's exciting, a chance to prove yourself and a chance to help the guys win.""