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The timeline for White when he got hurt was supposed to be six to eight weeks, but he has been working hard with Senators training staff, including strength coach Chris Schwarz and athletic therapists Gerry Townend and Dom Nicoletta.

“I haven’t had a day off since I’ve been hurt. I’ve been in (the rink) a lot of mornings at 7:30 a.m. and I give them a lot of credit for helping me,” White said.

Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia News

Signed last spring after leaving Boston College, White, a first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2015, was trying to make the Senators’ NHL roster by filling the vacancy created when winger Clarke MacArthur failed his medical, but he was himself injured in the first pre-season game on Sept. 18.

“It was definitely really hard right away, but the biggest thing for me was trying to stay positive through it all,” White said. “It was a tough break and there’s nothing you can do about it after. I was down for a couple of days, but, right after that, it was just all about getting better as soon as I can.”

The AHL stint will give White a chance to get back on track.

“I felt really good out there today and my shot is getting better,” White said. “I’ve just got to start from the beginning, work my butt off and try to get back here.”

THE LAST WORDS: Winger Zack Smith, who left Thursday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Devils because of injury, has resumed skating and could play as early as Friday in the rematch at New Jersey. “We’re hoping that he can test the contact on Thursday and, if he tests the contact Thursday and it goes well, there’s a slight possibility for Friday,” Boucher said. “We’ll see. It really depends and every day we’re seeing progression. He could shoot (Monday), so we’ll see.” … This note is courtesy of p.r. whiz Chris Moore: Tuesday’s game against the Kings will be centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s 200th consecutive contest, and he’ll only be the ninth Senators player ever to accomplish that feat. Pageau’s streak started on Feb. 18, 2015, against the Canadiens. Pageau has two goals and three assists in seven career games against the Kings … Don’t be surprised if backup Darcy Kuemper starts in net for the Kings. He has suited up for only one game, making 23 saves in a 3-2 win against the New York Islanders at home on Oct. 15.

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/sungarrioch