"Jets coach Claude Noel, amid the disappointment of his team's just-completed 2-4 road trip that surrounded the NHL All-Star Game, offered a glimmer of hope on Monday when he met with reporters.

The coach said the team's leading goal scorer, left-winger Evander Kane, could be ready to return to the lineup as early as tonight when the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the MTS Centre.

Kane, who has 18 goals, has missed seven games with a concussion. He has not scored, however, since Dec. 29, a period of 10 games without a goal before he was hurt.

"He's feeling better," Noel said Monday. "He'll be a game-time decision. He's close. If it's not (tonight's) game, potentially Thursday.""