Canadiens top scorer Max Pacioretty may return for series opener against Ottawa

BROSSARD, Que. - Max Pacioretty took part in the Montreal Canadiens practice on Monday.

But the forward still isn't sure if he'll be ready to play in the opening game of their playoff series against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

The Canadiens scoring leader with 37 goals said he needs a practice with some bumps and battles in it before he'll know if he is fully recovered from an "upper body" injury suffered April 5 in Florida.

"That's the next step," he said. "You want to practice with full contact.

"Today was a special teams practice, so there's a time for that."

The Canadiens open the series Wednesday night at the Bell Centre.

Pacioretty was injured when he was knocked down by the Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov and fell awkwardly against the boards. He left the game and missed the team's final two regular season games.

He would not confirm that he suffered a concussion, although he wore a tinted visor in practice.

"At this point of the year, I have an obligation to say I have an upper body injury," he said. "Obviously, you don't want to give anybody a competitive edge by telling anybody what it is.

"I have an upper body injury, but I feel really good."

Coach Michel Therrien said Pacioretty has responded well to treatment, but could not confirm he will be ready for the series opener.

"We'll use him when he's ready. We don't know when," Therrien said.