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After 12-game absence, Martin expected back for Pittsburgh tomorrow

Matt Niskanen, Paul Martin

Pittsburgh Penguins defensemen Paul Martin, right, and Matt Niskanen stretch during an informal NHL hockey workout in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

Nobody’s guaranteeing anything yet, but it sounds as though the Penguins will get back defenseman Paul Martin for their regular-season finale against Carolina on Saturday.

“I think that’s the plan,” Martin told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I was hoping for [Thursday]. But now it looks like probably Saturday. No guarantee. It would depend. But I feel good enough.

“It would be good to get a game in [before the playoffs].”

Prior to breaking a bone in his hand against the Jets nearly a month ago, Martin was enjoying a stellar campaign.

The 32-year-old had 21 points through 33 games and a solid plus-12 rating, all while averaging over 25 minutes per game.

Martin said he felt “great” in terms of overall health and was anxious to get back in the lineup. He practiced on Friday in a pairing with Simon Despres.