Parse excited about chance to return

After weeks of skating, skating, skating and…skating, Scott Parse is ready to go. Terry Murray admitted today that he’s taking a bit of a risk by inserting Parse into the lineup, given that Parse has played only five games this season — and none since Nov. 15 — because of a hip injury that required surgery. Coincidentally, Parse’s last game was at San Jose, and he scored a goal. Parse moves into a left-wing role alongside center Michal Handzus and right winger Justin Williams, and pronounced himself ready to play…

PARSE: “I’ve been skating hard for the last three weeks, so I was hoping to return in these playoffs sometimes. So it’s here.”

Question: How are you feeling? Is it 100 percent now?

PARSE: “I’m great. I’m good to go.”

Question: Was it a little surprise to be out there on that purple (jersey) line?

PARSE: “You never know what the lines are going to be, but it’s exciting. I’m happy and ready to go.”

As noted above, Murray acknowledged that he’s taking a bit of a risk by taking a player out of a long-term injury situation and putting him into a playoff elimination game…

MURRAY: “Yeah, probably. You could probably say a little bit of a risk, but you just have to take all the factors into consideration, and put him in a situation where you do take on a little bit of risk, but I look at the risk-reward part of it too. He’s a player who has been working very hard to get back at it. We tested him yesterday. His conditioning level is really good. I know the skill side of the game, with the puck on his stick, is good. He can give us some looks in the offensive zone. He can be a threat. He’s got some speed, quickness that can match up with their speed and quickness. So, again, a change is good sometimes, and I’m hoping that this one is.”