Vegas D Shea Theodore back vs. Preds, three months after surgery

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will play for the first time in three months Tuesday night against the visiting Nashville Predators.

Theodore, 28, underwent surgery in late November to address an upper-body injury. He last played on Nov. 22 and has missed 35 games.

"It's great to be back," Theodore told reporters earlier Tuesday. "It's been a long time, but the freshness is there. I feel good. It's tough. That's probably the hardest part about, not being around the guys. It's been good being around a little bit."

Theodore skated in warmups on Monday night before Vegas beat the San Jose Sharks 4-0, but the Golden Knights did not play the veteran blueliner.

Theodore had 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) over 20 games to start the season before his surgery. In 470 career games with the Anaheim Ducks (2015-17) and Vegas (2017-24), he has amassed 282 points (70 goals, 212 assists).

The Golden Knights reassigned forward Byron Froese to AHL affiliate Henderson in a corresponding move.