A slap shot.
That's been the difference between game action and toiling in practice for Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger, trying to return to the postseason after breaking his hand over a month ago.
With his team deadlocked at two games a piece with the Buffalo Sabres in their first-round NHL playoff series, Pronger was likely to push himself into Friday night's critical Game 5, even without the ability to wind up from the point and take those hard slap shots.
It would've been in a limited role without power play time, where the Flyers could have desperately used that cannon of a shot, but even without that aspect of his game, Pronger can still defend and lead the transition game with his still-healing hand.
Ah, but then came the morning skate on Friday before Game 5, and there was Pronger, out on the ice with his teammates. He blasted a slap shot, something he hasn't done in weeks. Flyers coach Peter Laviolette called him a game-time decision, but it seems apparent that Pronger will strap on the pads as his team goes to battle in Game 5.
For more on Pronger and the Flyers, visit Broad Street Hockey. You can also find continuing coverage of the Flyers vs. Sabres first-round series here at SBNation.com.