The Montreal Canadiens actually might have New Canaan native Max Pacioretty back in the lineup for the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin April 13.

Team doctors have informed Canadiens coach Jacques Martin that Pacioretty can resume contract drills in three to five weeks. The 23-year-old is expected to begin rehab after another week of rest.

Pacioretty suffered a severe concussion and a non-displaced fracture of the fourth vertebra in his neck on March 8 when his head slammed into a stanchion at Montreal's Bell Centre after receiving a jarring hit from Boston's Zdeno Chara.

Initially, it was feared that Pacioretty's career could be in jeopardy.
 
"It's good news that he'll be able to practice," Martin said Thursday.

Chara was not suspended, causing a furor in Canada, with Air Canada threatening to pull its sponsorship of the NHL and political leaders criticizing the league.

Montreal's first-round draft pick in 2007, Pacioretty is in his third season with the Canadiens.