OTTAWA - Pascal Leclaire is inching closer to a return.
The Senators goaltender, who has been out since Dec. 17 with a lower body injury, was the only one on the ice at Scotiabank Place Tuesday with the rest of the players taking part in an off-ice workout.
Leclaire was able to take shots with assistant coach Brad Lauer and could return to practice Wednesday before the Senators head to Chicago to prepare to face the Blackhawks Friday at the United Center.
The decision not to hold practice was made so that the players could step away a bit. Coming off a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday, the Senators have a rare five-day break in their schedule.
“I have full confidence in our guys,” said Clouston Tuesday. “Practice (Monday) was a really upbeat, hard-working practice. The off-ice, they were happy they weren’t going to have four practices, but they still wanted to work hard.
“At this time of year, if you put four practises together, it’s hard to stay focused. When we do have them on the ice, we have their attention.
"This is the way we thought we could get their attention and make sure they were still focused. They’re upbeat. They’re positive and they’re saying the right things.”
