Times wires
Saturday, May 28, 2011
VANCOUVER — Canucks shutdown center Manny Malhotra, who faced possibly losing his left eye after being hit by a puck in March, was cleared to play Saturday in the Stanley Cup final.
"It's a very exciting prospect for me at this point," Malhotra said in his first public comments since April. "If I feel more comfortable, if I am game-ready, the coaches will make the decision at that time (whether he can play). If I'm not ready, that's the case."
Coach Alain Vigneault said Malhotra is day to day. The Western Conference champion Canucks open the Stanley Cup final against the East champion Bruins on Wednesday.
Malhotra was hit by a puck when a pass deflected off the stick of the Avalanche's Erik Johnson on March 16. The Canucks said March 21 his season was over, and there was concern Malhotra, 31, could lose the eye. But he has been skating with the team since May 12 with a full-face shield and Friday was cleared for contact.
Malhotra has had two surgeries and needs a third, which the team has said doesn't have to be done before he plays.
Bruins: The team took the day off after completing its seven-game East final win over the Lightning. It practices today and leaves Monday for Vancouver.
Stanley Cup final
Canucks vs. Bruins
Wednesday: at Vancouver, 8, Ch. 8
Saturday: at Vancouver, 8, Ch. 8
June 6: at Boston, 8, Versus
June 8: at Boston, 8, Versus
June 10: at Vancouver, 8, Ch. 8 *
June 13: at Boston, 8, Ch. 8 *
June 15: at Vancouver, 8, Ch. 8 *
* If necessary