Trailing the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 in their second round Stanley Cup Playoffs Series the Ottawa Senators are in need of a boost.

It appears that they will get just that, with star centre Jason Spezza returning to the lineup. Spezza has been out since late January and underwent back surgery to repair a disc problem. He has been skating for several weeks, but practiced with the full Sens team, and in a non-contact jersey for the first time on Saturday.

“I feel ready to play, I wouldn’t play if I didn’t think I could help the team,” the 29-year-old Spezza after Sens practice.

Spezza had 2 goals and 5 points in 5 games this season before being hurt. Last season he led the Senators in points with 84 in 80 games. He was also second in goals with 34, just one behind Milan Michalek. He should provide extra offence to the Senators even if he needs to play limited minutes which are heavily focused on powerplay time. The Senators have scored 4 goals in the first two games of the series.

Meanwhile Senators head coach Paul MacLean announced that Craig Anderson will get the start in goal in Game 3. Anderson was pulled in Game 2 after giving up 3 goals to Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Robin Lehner played well in relief, but the Sens will go back to their main starter in a must win game.

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