Nino Niederreiter was trying to be sly when he said his return to the Wild lineup “could be” happening Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
But less than a minute later, the Wild winger let slip that in his mind he expects to being playing Tuesday night.
After missing six games with a high ankle sprain that stopped his season short eight periods in, Niederreiter will make his much anticipated return after missing a little less than the three-week timetable.
In Niederreiter’s mind, it’s time he tests his ankle in a game.
“The doctor told me it's going to be awhile before you don't feel anything,” Niederreiter, who scored 20-plus games the past three seasons, said.