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Sens’ MacArthur (hand) won’t require surgery, could be back next weekend

2014 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic - Ottawa Senators v Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 2: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) during the first period in NHL action on March 02, 2014 during the 2014 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Rich Lam

The Ottawa Senators gained some reasons for optimism on Saturday. For one thing, Ales Hemsky and Jason Spezza displayed some early chemistry in a nice win against Winnipeg. If that wasn’t enough, Clarke MacArthur’s injured hand shouldn’t require surgery, according to head coach Paul MacLean via the Ottawa Sun.

MacLean said that it boils down to pain threshold, precisely his ability to hang onto his stick. The team could get the winger back as soon as next Saturday.

MacLean wasn’t happy about MacArthur suffering the injury via a fight with the Calgary Flames’ Chris Butler after delivering what was believed to be a clean hit.

“It appears that’s the way it is in the NHL: It’s a No hitter league,” MacLean said. “If you hit anybody too hard you have to fight all the time. That’s just the way it is but I don’t think he had much recourse.”

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins