Mikael Granlund’s words may not have given away that he plans to be in the lineup when the Wild open their playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche. But the way he moved around the ice at practice on Tuesday may have.
FOX Sports Net reports that Granlund has been gliding comfortably around the Xcel Energy Center ice.
Following practice on Tuesday, the second-year pro said he felt good, but neither he nor coach Mike Yeo would confirm that he’d be in uniform for Thursday night’s game in Colorado.
During a chat with reporters after practice though, Granlund said he felt good and thinks he’ll be able to mesh quickly with his line mates when he does get back in the Wild lineup.
Granlund was injured after colliding with Kings center Jarett Stoll on March 31. Since then he had not skated with the team until Saturday.
REPORT: Mikael Granlund expected to play Thursday. #mnwild http://t.co/Qxeq9PWCXG
— RotoWire🏒 (@RotoWireNHL) April 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/NHLNewsFeed/status/456226946536333312
According to the Pioneer Press, Granlund wanted to play in the Wild’s regular-season finale on Sunday against Nashville, but the team decided to be cautious.
Granlund is having a breakout season with the Wild. He has recorded 41 points in just 63 regular-season games. He has played particularly well with Jason Pominville.
“I’ve been playing with Pominville almost the whole season, and we played with Moulson, too, so it’s not a big deal,” Granlund said. “I’m just happy to be back, and I want to be ready to go Thursday.”
In addition to Granlund, rookie goalie Darcy Kuemper could also be on track to return. He has practiced this week for the first time since his own late-March injury.
