After missing the first five games of the 2017-18 season recovering from offseason foot surgery, Erik Karlsson will make his Senators season debut Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks.
Karlsson, the Senators captain and two-time winning Norris Trophy defenseman, practiced with the team in-full on Monday, and head coach Guy Boucher confirmed that Karlsson will return to Ottawa's lineup, making his first appearance since a loss to the Penguins in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final.
MORE: How the Senators thrived without Erik Karlsson in the lineup
"I had the appropriate amount of time to get ready to play again," Karlsson said. "I'm going to be a little bit rusty, probably, but it's better to get back into things as early as possible, and hopefully it will get better as we move along."
“I had the appropriate amount of time to get ready to play again, it’s exciting.”
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 16, 2017
-Erik Karlsson talks about returning to the line-up. pic.twitter.com/bPRgtA68tM
Following a deep postseason run, Karlsson had offseason ankle surgery to repair an injury sustained late in the regular season. Karlsson missed five games down the stretch, but then played in each of Ottawa's 19 playoff games.
"We're not going to have a real game plan on how much I'm going to play or what I'm going to have to do," Karlsson said. "We're just going to see how it feels tomorrow, and how the game plays itself out."
The 27-year-old Swede led the Senators in scoring last year (71 points), asssists (54), and average time on-ice (26:50). He finished second in the Norris voting for the second consecutive season. He returns to a Seantors team on a three-game winning streak, having just finished a Western Canadian sweep after defeating the Edmonton Oilers, 6-1.
"It always helps when the team is plays well," Karlsson said. "It's been easier for me to watch, and I've been able to take my time, and not getting too antsy. They've done a great job."
Boucher said he's not sure if the Senators will dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards, and that he would make the decision Tuesday. But Boucher said he understands the influence Karlsson can have in his return.
"He's the best player in the world, so he basically has an impact on everything," Boucher said. "He is who he is. His presence; he's not just a hockey player. It's everything around it, too."