Carolina Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen was a full participant in practice Monday with an eye toward making his return for the Eastern Conference finals against the Florida Panthers.
Game 1 remains TBA.
Teravainen, 28, underwent surgery April 22 to repair a bone in his hand after getting slashed by New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau in Carolina’s 4-3 overtime victory in Game 2 of the first-round series.
The team said then that Teravainen would likely miss 4-to-8 weeks.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Teravainen said. “I thought for sure I was done but doctors did a really good job and it looks like (I’m) getting back pretty soon.
“I think I’m pretty much ready to go, so whenever coach puts me out there.”
Teravainen returned to practice Saturday for the first time, wearing a no-contact jersey. However, he shed the yellow jersey in Monday’s practice.
The NHL still hasn’t decided on when Game 1 between the Hurricanes and Panthers will be. Regardless, the series will begin in Raleigh, N.C.
Teravainen, 28, totaled 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in 68 games this season.
A 2015 Stanley Cup champion with Chicago, Teravainen has totaled 406 points (130 goals, 276 assists) in 594 career games with the Blackhawks and Hurricanes.
–Field Level Media