Blackwood Practices, Available Thursday | INJURY UPDATE

Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood participated in full practice with the team Tuesday afternoon and is expected to be able to play if needed Thursday night in Florida against the Panthers.
In fact, both he and head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed it, together.
When asked if Blackwood was available by the media, Ruff responded, "Yeah, he had a full practice day today," before turning to Blackwood, who was sitting in the same media room awaiting his own interview, and asking, "Are you available?"
To which Blackwood responded: "Yes."

Blackwood left the
Devils' contest at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers Sunday
night in the third period after Kaapo Kakko collided with him while scoring a goal. Kakko's elbow struck Blackwood in the head. Blackwood stayed in the game, but an NHL concussion spotter called down and had him removed.
"I've never had that happen to me before," Blackwood said. "In the moment they're just trying to do what's best for you regardless of if you want to stay or not. They have to do their part to keep players safe. It sucks. It's unfortunate, but I think it's good that they want to take care of players."
Blackwood said his head was okay, but his neck was sore from getting "jammed up." Blackwood said the neck is still "a little stiff, but it's fine."
Note:Forward Tyce Thompson also missed practice, as well as the past two games, with an undisclosed injury.
"We'll know more in the near future on Tyce," Ruff said. "I'll get back to you on that."