Mired in a five-game losing streak, the Minnesota Wild hope their struggling offense will get a boost from franchise scoring leader Marian Gaborik.
Gaborik will be back on the ice for the first time in more than two months on Tuesday night as the Wild (15-13-1) host Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames.
Gaborik has been out since Oct. 14 with a lower-body injury, but deemed himself "good to go" after Tuesday's workout and was taken off injured reserve. He missed 27 seven games, during which the Wild went 13-13-1, and he's set to rejoin them as they've scored five goals during their slide.
Gaborik, who led Minnesota with 42 goals and 83 points last season, had one goal in two games before being sidelined.
"Obviously sometimes I feel discomfort, but I think by playing games it's going to get there," Gaborik said Monday. "To get out there and get into game shape, I'm looking forward to it."
Gaborik - who's 13 games short of 500 - has spent his entire eight-year career the Wild, leading them with 207 goals and 208 assists.
With Gaborik's return, the Wild now will try to make a move in the Northwest Division standings. They're tied with Colorado for third place, both just one point in front of last-place Edmonton.
Gaborik will be back on the ice for the first time in more than two months on Tuesday night as the Wild (15-13-1) host Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames.
Gaborik has been out since Oct. 14 with a lower-body injury, but deemed himself "good to go" after Tuesday's workout and was taken off injured reserve. He missed 27 seven games, during which the Wild went 13-13-1, and he's set to rejoin them as they've scored five goals during their slide.
Gaborik, who led Minnesota with 42 goals and 83 points last season, had one goal in two games before being sidelined.
"Obviously sometimes I feel discomfort, but I think by playing games it's going to get there," Gaborik said Monday. "To get out there and get into game shape, I'm looking forward to it."
Gaborik - who's 13 games short of 500 - has spent his entire eight-year career the Wild, leading them with 207 goals and 208 assists.
With Gaborik's return, the Wild now will try to make a move in the Northwest Division standings. They're tied with Colorado for third place, both just one point in front of last-place Edmonton.
