The Carolina Hurricanes have activated forward Jeff Skinner from the injured reserve list for today's 5 p.m. game against the Washington Capitals.
Despite missing 16 games since suffering a concussion Dec. 7, Skinner is still the team's second-leading goal scorer, according to a news release from the Canes.
But the Canes are not lacking punch on offense lately, scoring three goals in the third period last night to beat the 2011 Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins 4-2.
Still, Skinner's return should help the 16-23-7 Canes, who climbed to 13th in the Eastern Conference after the win.
"Being out, not playing, everybody gets frustrated," Skinner said earlier this month while awaiting clearance to play. "You have to be patient. But when you don't know how long it will be, and you don't know what steps will be taken to get back in game shape, it can be frustrating."
But now, Skinner says he is ready to play hockey again.
Staff file photo by Chris Seward, cseward@newsobserver.com: Carolina's Jeff Skinner (53) and the Rangers' Ryan Callahan (24) vie for the puck during a game Dec. 1, 2011 at the RBC Center in Raleigh.
