Malhotra cleared to play in Final

The Vancouver Canucks may center Manny Malhotra back in the lineup for the Stanley Cup Final.

Coach Alain Vigneault announced after Saturday’s practice that Malhotra has been cleared to play when the Final begins Wednesday night against Boston. The Canucks officially list Malhotra as day-to-day, and Vigneault would not say if he would be in the lineup for Game 1.

Malhotra, among the NHL’s best penalty-killers and faceoff men, hasn’t played since March 16, when he was hit in the left eye by a puck. He has had two operations and is expected to need another one.

After the injury, the Canucks announced that Malhotra was not expected to return this season. But he resumed skating on May 12, though associate coach Rick Bowness said it would be a “complete miracle” if the 31-year-old center was able to play in a game this season – and was cleared for light contact at practice on Friday.

"It was very emotional for me, but being around the guys and being with the team washuge for my recovery," he said Saturday after the announcement.

The Canucks said via Twitter that Malhotra will wear a full face shield.

Malhotra had 11 goals and 30 points in 72 games while centering the Canucks' third line. He was also second in the NHL in faceoffs, winning 61.7 percent of draws.