Ondrej Palat said he’s “100 percent ready” to return for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, according to Bryan Burns of the team website.
Palat had missed the past three games with a lower-body injury, a span where the Lightning went 1-1-1.
He suffered the injury on March 10, but the positive news is that it seems like he’s well ahead of the announced two-to-three week recovery period.
One would assume that Palat would slide back into his spot on a prolific line with Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. It’s been a breakout season for the trio, as Palat’s earned some buzz for his two-way play while collecting 15 goals and 52 points in 64 games.
The 23-year-old’s dealt with some bumps and bruises in 2014-15, yet he’s been a force when healthy, so the Lightning must be delighted to get him back against the Red Wings tonight.