Defenseman Ian Cole returned to the lineup for the Penguins Thursday night after seven games as a healthy scratch, replacing Matt Hunwick.
Hunwick did not participate in the Penguins' optional morning skate, but coach Mike Sullivan said none of the players who did not participate were at risk of not playing. When the Penguins took the ice for warmups prior to their game against the Wild, though, Hunwick was still absent.
That meant Cole was back in for the first time since Jan. 5 against the Islanders, skating alongside his regular defense partner Justin Schultz.
Cole has been in and out of the lineup since late November, seemingly occupying the seventh or eighth spot in the team's defensive rotation when everyone is healthy.