Spezza in, Michalek out; Kuba & Leclaire practicing
UPDATED 10/30/10 @ 10:58 AM: Jason Spezza will indeed return to the lineup tonight but his left wing Milan Michalek will not play. Michalek will reportedly miss a few games with tendinitis in his knee.
In his absence, Peter Regin will move onto the top line with Spezza and Alexei Kovalev. For updated lines, click here.
On the bright side, both Pascal Leclaire and Filip Kuba returned to the ice. Both players are expected back as soon as next week. Source: @NHLSens
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UPDATED 10/29/10 @ 12:12 PM: Spezza is looking to return tomorrow. Here is the latest from Ian Mendes of Rogers Sportsnet, via Twitter:
Spezza confirms that he will target tomorrow for return. If he feels like he can contribute, he will play.
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UPDATED 10/26/10 @ 10:58 AM: Spezza will not play tonight according to every source in Ottawa.
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UPDATED 10/23/2010 @ 6:40 PM: Spezza did not come out during warmups and will not play for the second straight night. The team has recalled Zach Smith to take his place in the meantime.
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UPDATED 10/23/2010 @ 11:19 AM: LeBrun ammends his last statement, Spezza will be a game-time decision.
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UPDATED 10/23/2010 @ 11:03 AM: After being a late decision not to play last night, Spezza will again miss tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN confirmed the scratch, via Twitter. Adjust your lineups accordingly, we should get an update on lines soon.
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UPDATE #2: Hockey Night in Canada seems to have confirmed Spezza in for the game. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun also commented, stating “Spezza taking a regular shift in warmups with Michalek and Alfredsson.”
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UPDATE: According to Allen Panzeri of Senators Extra, Jason Spezza is out skating with Luke Richardson to see if he can go. Head coach Cory Clouston listed him as possible earlier in the day.
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Jason Spezza will be a gametime decision, as the title states. He did not practice yesterday and remains day-to-day with a groin injury.
If he does not skate, the top two lines will be:
Mike Foligno – Mike Fisher – Daniel Alfredsson
Milan Michalek – Peter Regin – Alexei Kovalev
Injuries have hampered Spezza over the past two seasons, but he showed signs of regaining his dominance down the stretch last season. He could be an excellent buy low candidate should some owner have an itchy trigger finger.