Spezza likely to play Tuesday

Jan 15, 2008 - 1:14 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Ottawa Senators can breathe a little easier.

It appears that Jason Spezza's injury is not serious and the All-Star center is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday when the Senators visit the Washington Capitals, according to a report from TSN of Canada on Monday.

Spezza, who has tallied 15 goals and 53 points this season, left Sunday's game against the New York Islanders in the first period after receiving a hit from defenseman Freddy Meyer.

After spending a few shifts on the Ottawa bench, the 24-year-old Spezza returned to the game briefly before heading back to the locker room.

Spezza's likely return is a major break for the Senators, who already lost All-Star right wing Dany Heatley for a significant time earlier in the week.

The team announced Sunday that Heatley will miss the next six weeks with a separated shoulder. The 26-year-old Heatley, who has 25 goals and 56 points this season, suffered the injury in Saturday's 3-2 win over Detroit when he collided with the Red Wings' Dallas Drake while trying to gain possession of the puck in the third period.

Spezza and Heatley have paired with fellow All-Star Daniel Alfredsson all season, giving Ottawa one of the most dangerous top lines in the NHL.

A first-round pick - second overall - by the Senators in the 2001 draft, Spezza has compiled 97 tallies and 209 assists in 284 games over four seasons.