After eliminating the Montreal Canadiens from the postseason Thursday night in decisive fashion, the Ottawa Senators and their fans were greeted with more positive news Friday.
Forward Jason Spezza has progressed to the next stage of his recovery from a back injury and is now skating with the Black Aces — the name for the Sens’ reserve squad — as his health improves, according to the Ottawa Sun.
There is still no timetable for the player’s return.
“He’s skating much harder, competing much better and feeling much stronger,” Ottawa GM Bryan Murray told The Team 1200 on Friday. “Skating with the Black Aces is a more serious involvement for him.
“He’s got to practice a few times with the team before (coach) Paul (MacLean) thinks about making a change, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
Spezza injured his back during the club’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 27 and underwent surgery Feb. 1.
At the time, the club hoped its star forward would return to action in two months. By the time Round 2 gets underway — against those same Penguins should they defeat the New York Islanders — it will be three-and-a-half months since Spezza’s surgery.
The 29-year-old scored two goals and three assists in just five games played this season.
“He’s an important player for us. He hasn’t played all year, though. It’s a big step to get thrown into a series when everyone has been playing for a long time here. I hope to see him at some point in Round 2, but whether or not that happens, I couldn’t answer,” Murray told the Senators site.
Spezza has a history of back issues. He underwent successful back surgery in the summer of 2006 but missed games late in the 2007 season after re-injuring his back while carrying groceries.
The Ontario native played a key role in helping the Senators make the playoffs last season. In 2011-12, he finished fourth in league scoring with 84 points.
Since Round 2 of the Senators’ current playoff run won’t begin before Tuesday, it’s conceivable that Spezza could get in some practice time with the regulars over the weekend.
The lineup was given a complete day off Friday after closing out the Habs in five games.
“He’d be a huge key to our middle of the ice,” goalie Craig Anderson told the Sun. “He’s a No. 1 centreman that we’ve been missing all year. If he comes back, great. If not, we have to find a way to win without him.”