Senators C Spezza will play Monday

Apr 14, 2008 - 10:38 PM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Ottawa Senators All-Star center Jason Spezza will play in Game Three of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Spezza missed Sunday's practice after suffering a leg injury late in the Senators' 5-3 Game Two loss on Friday. But after Monday's morning skate, the Senators' leading scorer said he will be in the lineup.

"I knew I had to skate today to see how I felt," Spezza said. "I'm not 100 percent, but I'll be fine tonight."

Ottawa, which trails the series two-games-to-none, may also receive another boost as captain Daniel Alfredsson, who was expected to miss the entire series, could make a surprise return on Monday.

Alfredsson, second on the team with 40 goals this season, has not played since suffering knee and neck injuries on April 3. However, the right wing skated for the first time by himself on Sunday.

"I'm not shutting the door on him (playing tonight)," coach Bryan Murray said of Alfredsson.

The possibility of the return of his linemate intrigued All-Star Dany Heatley.

"It would be big. He's our captain," Heatley said. "He proved he was a big playoff performer last year and it would be a big boost to have him back.

"But at the same time, I don't think any of us can expect him (to be) back. I don't think any one in the room really knows what the deal is. We're kind of waiting to see ourselves."

The Senators also missing considerable firepower with centers Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly sidelined due to various injuries.