Ottawa Senators Jason Spezza hops the boards during team practice in Ottawa Sunday May 12, 2013.The Canadian Press
Speculation continues to grow that Jason Spezza, out since Jan. 27, could return to the Ottawa Senators' lineup for Game 3 of their playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Senators, lowest-scoring team in the NHL during the shortened regular season, could sorely use their best forward, who underwent disc surgery on his back and was expected to miss the remainder of the NHL year.
Spezza has been skating for a few weeks and participated in full practices prior to the Senators leaving for Pittsburgh and Games 1 and 2 of Round 2 of the playoffs. Game 2 is Friday in Pittsburgh, with Game 3 scheduled for Sunday in Ottawa.
"He continues to skate on a daily basis and makes progress," said Senators head coach Paul MacLean. "We'll go through practice tomorrow and the pregame skate [Sunday] and we'll see where it is.
"If he's available to us, it's Jason Spezza - we're going to have him in the lineup."