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The wait for Jean-Gabriel Pageau may not be long.

As the Ottawa Senators wrapped up their skate at Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, head coach Guy Boucher and Pageau, who has been out all season after having surgery to repair an Achilles tendon torn on the first day of training camp, had a long chat.

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No, Pageau, a 26-year-old centre, won’t suit up against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on New Year’s Eve, but it sure sounded as if he could be in the lineup early in 2019, which wasn’t supposed to be the case.

Photo by Errol McGihon / Postmedia

Cleared for contact after the Christmas break, Pageau has been a regular participant in practice. He hasn’t been ruled out of back-to-back afternoon games at home against the Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes next Saturday and Sunday.

“Pageau is going very well,” Boucher said.

Is there any chance he’d play this week?

“Not (Monday),” Boucher said.

Is later in the week possible?

“I lit up some candles at church, and I asked Santa Claus so we’ll see,” Boucher said with a laugh. “It’s going very well. Pageau is one of those guys who always surprises you, so we’ll see.”

Pageau was supposed to be sidelined for between four and six months after being injured in early September. Getting him back anytime before mid-January would be a bonus.

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

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