BY GREG JOHNSON
Pioneer Press

EDMONTON, Alberta - Sergei Zholtok hadn't been able to smile for a while.

After the Wild's skate Tuesday morning, Zholtok was happy because he finally was fit enough to return to the lineup. Zholtok missed eight games with a sprained left shoulder.

He was hurt March 12 against Ottawa, his first game after signing a two-year contract extension.

"In the beginning, it was day to day," said Zholtok who is third on the team with 17 goals. "Then it turned into week to week. It's not a fun injury for a hockey player. The shoulder is tough because you don't know what's going on inside."

Teammate Brad Brown tested Zholtok's shoulder when the 6-foot-4 defenseman drove Zholtok into the boards.

"It gave me a feel of playing against someone one-on-one," Zholtok said. "He cross-checked me and asked, 'How was that?' I guess I'm ready. There's still some pain and the doctors told me it will be like this for a while. The main thing is I have all my range of motion and my strength back."