BROSSARD, Que. - Max Pacioretty might make his return to the Montreal Canadiens lineup for the second game of their Eastern Conference playoff series with the Ottawa Senators but forward Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau will sit out.
Pacioretty, Montreal's leading scorer this season, suffered a concussion in the third-last game of the regular season but participated in Friday morning's game-day skate.
A key was that, for the first time this week, he was wearing a regular visor instead of a tinted one.
When asked if Pacioretty would play against Ottawa on Friday night, Montreal coach Michel Therrien said, "I can't answer that. I haven't talked to the medical team.
"He's feeling good," Therrien added. "That's a good sign.
"He had a good practice (Thursday) and this morning I know he felt really good, but I can't confirm that he's going to be there (Friday night) or Sunday (in Game 3)."
He said Parenteau will miss Friday's game with an upper body injury.
Pacioretty led the Canadiens with 37 goals and 67 points this season. He was also a key penalty killer and led the NHL at plus-38.
Forward Devante Smith-Pelly said having him back would make a difference.
"A bunch of guys stepped up last game and adding another guy (Pacioretty) would be huge for us," he said. "He's looked good the last couple of days in practice.
"He's following protocol. We'll see how he feels."
The Canadiens won the series opener 4-3 on Wednesday night.
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.