The Tampa Bay Lightning could have forward Alex Killorn and defenseman Braydon Coburn in the lineup when they open up their first round playoff matchup with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Killorn suffered an undisclosed injury in an April 2nd game against the Ottawa Senators and missed the final three games of the regular season.
“We planned for today to be the first day for me to skate with the guys and stuff,” said Killorn following Monday’s practice. “So, I felt good. It’s progressing well. I think by Thursday, I’ll be fine.”
The 25-year-old had 15 goals and 38 points in 71 games during the regular season and will get his first taste of NHL playoff action on Thursday.
“I think there’s going to be a ton of adrenaline in the first playoff game,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect me that much, maybe a shift or two just to kind of get into things. Skating right now, even though it’s clearly not a game, I don’t feel like I’m sucking air.”
Coburn played in just four regular season games with the Lightning after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Philadelphia Flyers.
The 30-year-old suffered a lower body injury in Tampa’s 1-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens on March 10 and missed the final 14 games with the injury.