$a="test string x  x\nFeb  1 09:12:33  (";
if ($a =~ /^\w{3}\s\s\d/m)  { # /^Feb  1/
  $a =~ s/^\w{3}(\s\s)\d/ /;
  print "<$a>\n";
}else{
  print "no match\n";
}
#<x  x
Feb  1 09:12:33  (>

##</code><code>##

my $var = 'testing';
$_ = 'In this string we are $var the "e" modifier.';

s/(\$\w+)/$1/ee;

print;

>In this string we are testing the "e" modifier. 

##</code><code>##

  $a=~ s/$a =~ s/^\w{3}(\s\s)\d/$1/ /; #3 partr substitute like sed, $1 with a space?