Jeff Carter could be back in the line-up for the Philadelphia Flyers by the weekend.
The 25-year-old, who has been out since March 21 due to a fracture in his left foot, has been cleared to skate.
"Jeff had his MRI this morning and he is healing up nicely," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren on the team's site. "He completed his off-ice rehab and conditioning today and will practice with the team [on Thursday]."
The Flyers are hoping Carter will be able to play on Friday in New York against the Rangers in the first contest of a season-ending home-and-home series. The two games are of paramount importance with the playoffs on the line for both teams.
The Flyers currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference with 86 points, one point back of the Montreal Canadiens and one ahead of the Boston Bruins. The Rangers are in ninth with 82 points, but have a game in hand on the Flyers.
Philadelphia was 3-4-1 during Carter's eight games on the shelf. He has 33 goals and 27 assists, with a plus-3 rating over his 72 games.
Head coach Peter Laviolette told reporters on Monday he is considering putting Carter on a line with Daniel Briere.
