Lemieux expected to play on Tuesday
Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Penguins star Mario Lemieux participated in the team's practice on Monday at Mellon Arena and pronounced himself ready to return to action Tuesday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
"I felt great today on the ice," Lemieux said after practice. "I was able to do all the drills at top speed. I'm feeling great and ready to go tomorrow...looking forward to it.
"It's been a long time for me. Finally I'm feeling up to par and ready to go."
Lemieux hasn't played a full game since January 4, a 3-2 overtime win over the New York Islanders. He left in the second period of a rematch against the Islanders three days later due to a pulled groin and attempted to play January 13 in Boston. However, he left that contest after logging just 3:53 of ice time. Lemieux also sat out Sunday's All-Star Game.
In 41 games this season, he has tallied 20 goals and 48 assists for a league- leading 68 points.
Meanwhile, goaltender Johan Hedberg also returned to practice on Monday. Hedberg said he felt good after his first full workout with the team in more than a month, but wouldn't put a timetable on his return to the lineup. He has been sidelined with a fractured clavicle.
