Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis has been cleared to return to the lineup and will take the ice on Thursday night against the Dallas Stars, according to Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"I'm definitely excited. ... I just want to get back out there, doesn't matter who I play with," Dupuis said, via Menendez. "It will be huge for me to get back in a regular routine and play meaningful hockey again."
Dupuis, who missed nearly the entirety of the 2014-15 NHL season after being diagnosed with blood clots, suffered an undisclosed injury just prior to the start of this year. He had indicated to the media recently that he was still several weeks away from a return to the ice, so it's a stunning reversal that he's set to suit up against the Stars.
Per Menendez, Dupuis was given clearance because he managed two strong practices this week. Penguins head coach Mike Johnston indicated that the plan is to limit Dupuis' minutes and move him around the lineup to determine the best place for him.
The Stars game will be Dupuis' first NHL contest in nearly a year, as the 36-year-old's blood clot diagnosis - which followed shortly after a torn ACL - removed him from the Penguins lineup after just six goals and 16 games in 2014-15.
Dupuis managed one goal in preseason action before suffering his most recent injury.
