CHICAGO- After participating in practice yesterday, Bruins forward Nathan Horton returned to the ice this morning at the United Center for the teams’ morning skate. After the skate, Horton met with the media and confirmed he was playing in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

“I feel good. I think I’m in. I’m ready to go, and I’m excited,” said Horton. “I’m not in any pain. I feel good, and I’m ready to play. That’s it. I’m ready to get going here. Everything is good. I’m back, and I’m ready to go.”

Horton left Wednesday’s triple overtime loss during the first overtime in what looked like a shoulder injury and did not return.

“He feels really good” said Bruins head coach Claude Julien.  “He looked really good out there, the last two days. There’s absolutely no reason he shouldn’t play tonight.”

Horton has been huge for the Bruins thus far in the playoffs with 18 points in 17 games including seven goals. The Bruins top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Horton has been arguably the best line in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“That line has been very effective and efficient.  We’ll see” said Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville.

“I know that line certainly gave us something to be concerned with from the start of that game [Game 1] and ongoing. We’ll see what happens.”

Horton has been suffering through the injury since his regular season fight with Jarome Iginla on April 20. With it being no secret that Horton is playing through an injury look for the Blackhawks to finish all of their hits on Horton tonight.

“If he’s out there tonight we’ll keep hitting him” said Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews.

When asked if he was fearful that the Hawks would target his shoulder, Horton as usual smiled and said “it’s the playoffs.”

Puck drops at the United Center shortly after 8:00 eastern time.