Spezza may miss Game 3 with leg injury

4/13/2008 5:42 PM

OTTAWA (AP) -Jason Spezza is the latest V.I.P. addition to the Ottawa Senators' crowded casualty ward.

With captain Daniel Alfredsson and centers Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly already sidelined by injuries for Ottawa's opening-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Spezza did not take part in Sunday's practice and might not play in Game 3 as the Senators return home to Scotiabank Place on Monday night facing a 2-0 series deficit.

Spezza injured his leg in Friday's 5-3 loss in Pittsburgh and did not take part in an optional skate the following day. The Senators' leading scorer with a career-high 92 points during the regular season, Spezza had no points and five shots on goal in the first two games of the series.

Senators GM and head coach Bryan Murray said he would have to wait until Monday to find out whether or not his playmaking center would be able to play.

``He couldn't skate today, he felt, so we'll just have to wait and see,'' Murray said.

Spezza matched his career high with 34 goals this season and led the Senators with 58 assists. He had treatment Sunday and did not speak to reporters one day after telling them that he thought he would be in the lineup for Game 3.

Alfredsson, who is recovering from neck and leg injuries, was not able to take part in Sunday's practice and remains out of the lineup.

With the Senators' AHL affiliate in Binghamton, N.Y., eliminated from the playoffs, center Alexander Nikulin was recalled Saturday.

Nikulin, who had no points in two games with Ottawa this season, will likely make his playoff debut Monday if Spezza is unable to play. The 22-year-old Russian had 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points in 71 games with Binghamton.