Max Pacioretty: (Upper Body) Could Play Saturday

Pacioretty (upper body) was on the ice for morning skate Saturday and could be an option for the game later in the evening against the Senators, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

Analysis:

Though Pacioretty was briefly hospitalized after exiting Thursday's game following a hard hit by the Ducks' Clayton Stoner, his return to the ice creates hope that he won't have to miss any time due to the injury. It's uncertain if coach Michel Therrien will formally confirm that Pacioretty will return to the lineup Saturday, so it might not be until pregame warmups that a report on the winger's official status comes forth.