The San Jose Sharks are expected to have Marc-Edouard Vlasic back in the lineup for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings, as the defenseman took part in practice Monday after missing his team's last 12 games with an MCL sprain.
"I'm looking forward to playing," Vlasic said, according to Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area. "Took the time to heal properly, and now I'm ready to go."
Vlasic and partner Justin Braun make up the Sharks' key shutdown defense pairing, which will see plenty of minutes against the likes of Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, and Tyler Toffoli throughout the series.
The 29-year-old set new career highs with eight goals and 31 assists this season in just 67 games.
Forward Matt Nieto, who has also missed the team's last 12 with a broken knuckle, is also expected to be back in the lineup for Thursday's game.
"We've got all hands on deck," said head coach Peter DeBoer. "No issues here right now."
