Williams takes first step toward return

Justin Williams made it through the full-team practice today, but stopped short of saying he would be able to play Thursday in Game 1 of the first round against San Jose. It seems as though Williams will give it another go tomorrow and then a decision will be made. Here’s what Williams said, after practice, about the possibility of his return…

WILLIAMS: “I’ll get into some more intense battling this week and we’ll go from there. The coach and I and the training staff will make a decision about whether I can go or not.”

Question: And the news you got on Saturday, in terms of the strength test, was good?

WILLIAMS: “The news was good, yeah. My strength is up to par and everything. I just need to get comfortable out there and not think about it and just see how it progresses throughout the week. If I go out there and I’m timid, I’m not going to do it. We’ll just take it slowly and, if it happens, great. It’s really tough sitting out playoff games, I know that, but I’ll try my best.”

Question: How did it feel out there today?

WILLIAMS: “It felt OK. The practice, there wasn’t much battling in it, but as the week goes on, and with that extra day, there will be a little bit more, a little more tense, more battle drills, and we’ll go from there. After that, we’ll need to have a talk with the coaching staff, the training staff and myself, and see where we stand and see what we want to do.”

Here’s what Terry Murray said when asked about the chance of Williams’ return…

MURRAY: “To be honest, I’m hoping… He’s out there participating in the full practice here today, and that’s because of his meeting with the doctor during our game against Anaheim on Saturday night. He’s basically (been) given the green light to get himself ready. Now it comes down to, how does he feel? He’s going to have to come to me and tell me that he’s ready to go. That’s going to be the bottom line. If that meeting happens after tomorrow’s practice, then I’m absolutely going to take a look at it and try to pencil him in somewhere.”