OTTAWA -- Rookie center Colin White might make his Stanley Cup Playoff debut for the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports).
Senators coach Guy Boucher said he has a number of lineup decisions to make and White, who has played in two NHL games totaling 34 shifts and 27:25 of ice time, is among the players who might dress in what is an elimination game for Ottawa.
The Penguins lead the best-of-7 series 3-2 after a 7-0 win in Game 5.
White signed with the Senators on April 2 after finishing his second season at Boston College. The 21st pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, White made his NHL debut on April 3 and played in the Senators' regular-season finale against the New York Islanders on April 9.
White skated in warmups before Game 5, but Boucher opted to scratch him and dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.
"We've had [White] in mind for a long time," Boucher said Tuesday. "It's just we felt some other guys that had been with us all year, [had] more experience and [were] more used to what we were doing and a little more apt to help us at that moment. The last few games, because of our center situation right now, he's been in consideration and he still is for [Game 6]. He's a guy who is a really smart player, has got speed, tons of speed, a guy that drives the net and is very reliable on both sides of the ice. That's why we're considering him. If he wasn't that good, there would be no consideration.
"You don't want to expose him, either, to something he can't handle. We just feel right now that he's been around the team, has been part of the meetings, and I think right now he's a possibility because we need him."
Boucher said there is a 50-50 chance he will play seven defensemen and 11 forwards again. He also said veteran center Chris Kelly could play. Kelly hasn't dressed since Game 5 against the Boston Bruins in the first round. He has been a healthy scratch for the past 12 games.
The Senators coach also confirmed defenseman Erik Karlsson, center Derick Brassard and defenseman Cody Ceci will play. None of the three played in the third period of Game 5.
Boucher added that forward Ryan Dzingel, who was scratched in Game 5, will be back in the lineup. Forward Tommy Wingels will be scratched.
In addition, defenseman Mark Borowiecki and forward Alexandre Burrows remain out with lower-body injuries. Borowiecki took part in the optional morning skate, but will miss his 16th straight game. Burrows did not skate and will miss his third straight.
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