Golden Knights' Theodore returns from 14-game absence vs. Wild

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore returned from a 14-game absence Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild.

However, the club was without blue-liner Alex Pietrangelo, who is day-to-day with a lower-body ailment.

Theodore suffered an arm injury during Canada's first game at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February while bracing for a hit along the boards from Swedish forward Adrian Kempe.

The Golden Knights activated Theodore off long-term injured reserve prior to Tuesday's contest.

The rearguard last played in an NHL game Feb. 8 when he recorded two assists in 21:58 minutes of ice time in a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins. Vegas went an impressive 9-3-2 in his absence.

Theodore still leads all Golden Knights blue-liners with 41 assists and 48 points in 55 games despite the missed time. He also ranks second on the team in average ice time (22:03), behind only Pietrangelo.

The 29-year-old is only five points away from surpassing his previous career high of 52, which he established in 78 games in 2021-22.

The Golden Knights entered Tuesday's slate in first place of the Pacific Division with 92 points, a 42-20-8 record, and a five-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers.