Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu screens Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Ruutu is close to returning to the lineup after suffering a lower-body injury. (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Whether Carolina Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu is fit to play will be a game-time decision for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night in Raleigh, N.C.

The Penguins lead the best-of-seven NHL playoff series 2-0.

Ruutu took part in Saturday morning's skate, showing no lingering effects of the lower-body injury he suffered in Game 1, when he reportedly hurt his ankle. He skated for 20 minutes, taking part in most of the team drills.

But Carolina coach Paul Maurice wouldn't say if Ruutu will play in Game 3.

"He got through the morning skate," Maurice told NHL.com. "We're pleased with how that happened, but we'll bring him back [Saturday night] to see if there was an increase in swelling. He knows the guidelines for what he needs to do to say that he can play in our lineup, and that decision won't get made until [game time]."

The Hurricanes are eager to have Ruutu back.

"It would be great," defenceman Dennis Seidenberg said. "He's a good physical presence and that's what we need up front for our forecheck."

"I think it would be huge," defenceman Tim Gleason said. "Especially at home, because he's a physical guy, a skilled guy who can put the puck in the net."

"I think we've missed him a lot [in Game 2] and we have a better opportunity to be on the physical side of things with him in the lineup. We'll see if he's ready to go," Gleason said.

Ruutu's offensive production has been limited in the playoffs so far. He has just one goal and three assists in 15 post-season games.