Max Pacioretty might make his return to the Montreal Canadiens lineup for the second game of their Eastern Conference playoff series with the Ottawa Senators but forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau will sit out.
Pacioretty, Montreal's leading scorer this season, suffered a concussion in the third-last game of the regular season but participated in Friday morning's game-day skate.
"He's feeling good and that's a good sign," said head coach Michel Therrien.
"He had a good practice yesterday and this morning he feels good, but I can't confirm that he's going to play.
A key was that, for the first time this week, he was wearing a regular visor instead of a tinted one.
When asked if Pacioretty would play against Ottawa on Friday night, Montreal coach Michel Therrien said, "I can't answer that. I haven't talked to the medical team.
Meanwhile Ottawa Senator Mark Stone practised for only a short time Friday morning, following his injury suffered in Wednesday's game.
Canadien defenceman PK Subban slashed Stone on the wrist and received a game misconduct for that act. Stone left the game but returned, only to learn Thursday morning that he suffered a micro-fracture to his wrist.
It's uncertain if he will play in Friday's game.
If he does not play he will likely be replaced by Chris Neil, who implied the Senators would be ready to crush Subban in retaliation, especially if Subban ever puts his head down while on the ice.
With files from The Canadian Press
