A veteran blueliner is set to jump back into action once again.
Lightning Insider Erik Erlendsson has reported that Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh has been activated from injured reserve and is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday night when the Lightning take on the Winnipeg Jets.
Roster update: Ryan McDonagh has been activated off injured reserve ahead of tonight’s game against Winnipeg and expected to make his return to the lineup. #GoBolts #TBLightning
McDonagh has missed the last month of action due to an undisclosed injury. The 36-year-old played three games last month after spending over a month on IR with another injury. His last appearance came on Dec. 22 against the St. Louis Blues. In the 15 games he has been absent, the Bolts have been pretty good, going 13-1-1 over that span.
The St. Paul, Minn. native has struggled to stay in the lineup this season, as he has missed 33 games thus far due to injury. In the 18 games he has played in, he has scored four goals and four assists for eight points, including a two-point night against the Carolina Hurricanes back on Dec. 20. McDonagh also has a plus/minus of +1, while averaging exactly 20 minutes of ice time per game.
McDonagh’s return is a welcoming one for the Lightning, who are still without their captain, Victor Hedman, who is recovering from elbow surgery. Hedman was on the ice in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday. Even without two of the team’s most experienced rearguards, Tampa has remained as one of the best teams in the NHL.
As we near the Olympic break, the Lightning (33-14-4) are atop the Atlantic Division, one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa enters Thursday looking to build on a solid stretch of play, having won four of its past five games.