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John Tavares aims for Thursday return vs. Habs

John Tavares

John Tavares

AP

The good news is that John Tavares seems to think that he’s ready to return to action.

The slightly less good news is that the New York Islanders actually need to OK it.

Tavares told media members including Newsday’s Arthur Staple that he hopes to face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

He apparently lost some weight from flu-like symptoms that sidelined him for three games, but he believes he’s “close to that.”

“I want to play,” Tavares said. “I feel good, I felt pretty good on the ice today and I just want to get back out there.”

The Isles went 1-1-1 with Tavares out of the lineup. If Jack Capuano decides he wants to give Tavares a little more time and rest him on Thursday, the Isles’ next game is against the Bruins on Nov. 8.

Alternatively, playing him tomorrow - maybe sparingly? - could be a decent move because of that gap.

Hey, it’s a long season, and the best news may be that his illness seemingly really was an illness ... instead of an “illness.”

Right?