OTTAWA — Fresh off their first-round elimination of the Montreal Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators had a familiar face back on the ice on Sunday.

No. 1 center Jason Spezza practiced with his teammates for the first time since undergoing back surgery for a herniated disk on Feb. 1 and says it was nice to take another step in his recovery.

“It's been a long process and a long season for me,” Spezza said. “It felt good to join the team again and get some reps in. It may not seem like it and I may not play this year, but for me it's a small victory.”

Despite speculation that Spezza could be done for the season, the fact the 29-year-old took part in a full practice was encouraging for the Senators, who will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the playoffs.

Spezza, who had been skating on his own before joining Ottawa's AHL callups for more training, says he had some “ups and downs” over the course of his recovery but made improvements over the past few weeks that allowed him to take part in a regular practice.

Whether or not he plays this season depends on how his body reacts.

“I always felt there was going to be a light at the end of the tunnel and when that is I don't know,” Spezza said. “But I'm going to keep pushing towards getting better so I can try to play.”

The Senators' top center played in just five games this season, scoring two goals and adding three assists, before the surgery.

It's unclear whether Spezza will travel to Pittsburgh, but Senators coach Paul MacLean doesn't seem to have much hope he will play in the first two games of the series.

“He's a long ways away,” MacLean said after practice.

On Saturday, the coach said he would love to have Spezza in the lineup.

“That's the important factor for me. ... Jason has to be up to speed to where the team is playing,” MacLean said. “And the treadmill goes pretty fast in the second round of the playoffs.”