Injury Report: Teravainen Moving Closer To His Return

RALEIGH, NC. -The Carolina Hurricanes began the week leading into the Eastern Conference Final with some good news.

After skating twice in recent days in a yellow no-contact sweater, Teuvo Teravainen worked at Monday's practice in a standard jersey, indicating another step toward his return.

"I'm pretty much ready to go. Whenever coach puts me out there, I'll be good," #86 said eagerly following the skate.

Just 25 days removed from surgery to repair his broken hand, Teravainen admitted that at first, he thought he'd played his last game of the postseason.

"It's kind of crazy. I thought for sure I was done, but the doctors did a really good job and it looks like I'm getting back pretty soon," #86 continued. "It's tough to watch the games from the outside, you always want to be helping. But the guys have done a really good job."

Although Teravainen says he has no limitations with his hand moving forward, Rod Brind'Amour is still looking at things through a cautious lens.

"That injury, you probably feel good, but you've got to be able to shoot," the head coach said. "I know he's not going to be 100%, but close to it."

Still without a schedule for the Eastern Conference Finals, each day of rest is another positive in this situation.

"We've got another day or two (until Game 1), and he needs the time. It will help him," Brind'Amour continued. "Obviously we want him in there. Everybody wants to play, but you've got to be able to play. That's the key."

Therein lies the difference at the moment - Teravainen being able to play, and Teravainen being able to contribute.

"He's got to be able to be effective. I don't want him out there and not be effective. That won't help us," the head coach said. "He's good to go. He's healthy enough. It's just whether or not he can play. I'm not going to throw him in if he can't shoot."

A valuable asset on the penalty kill as well, the Finnish winger rotated in when necessary at Monday's practice, while the rest of the unit's forward lines that they used to end the series against the Devils remained intact.

"We could throw him in for that reason alone, but we've been pretty good with what we've got," Brind'Amour said of Teravainen's superb abilities when down a man. "Guys have stepped up. If he healthy enough to play, he'll be in there."

The NHL's second round wraps up Monday evening with Game 7 between the Seattle Kraken and Dallas Stars at 8 p.m. ET. A full schedule for both conference finals is expected to be released following the conclusion of the contest.

Tickets for the Eastern Conference Final games at PNC Arena are available now and

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