Ducks' Kevin Bieksa: Could return Friday

Bieksa (lower body) skated Thursday and indicated after practice that he could return to the lineup Friday, Janis Carr of the Orange County Register reports.

The Ducks have been a bit shorthanded on the defensive end with both Bieksa and Sami Vatanen (upper body) sidelined for the last couple games. It's certainly an encouraging sign that the blueliner participated in practice Thursday, but the team should further update his status come game day. The veteran defenseman impacts the game in multiple facets, having collected 145 hits and blocking 100 shots while adding 14 points and 106 shots on goal over 67 contests this season.