Positive news: The Vancouver Canucks player who sustained an injury has formally announced his return to the squad.
Vancouver: The Vancouver Canucks are getting ready for the postseason, and a few key players might be returning soon.
Tuesday’s practice featured both All-Star goalie Thatcher Demko and forward Elias Lindholm, though Demko left before the session was over.
The 28-year-old American goalie will play again for the Canucks (48-22-8) on Tuesday, according to head coach Rick Tocchet’s plan, which also included a “good, full practice for him with limitations.”
Tocchet stated, “We are really just living day to day.” “We had a nice day today; we will see how tomorrow goes.” Midway through Vancouver’s 5-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on March 9, Demko sustained a lower-body injury that kept him out of the game for the next 12 games.
He is still tied for the most wins this season (34), with Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers, despite his absence.
Demko’s contribution to Vancouver’s success this season has been crucial. With a 34-13-2 record, a 2.47 goals-against average, a.917 save percentage, and five shutouts, he is quite impressive.
Without the goalie, the Canucks are 6-5-1, with Casey DeSmith handling the majority of the responsibilities.
Vancouver is still leading the Pacific Division, leading the Edmonton Oilers by five points, and they became the first team from Canada to secure a postseason berth.
Tocchet stated that in order to get Demko ready for game action, the coaching staff will keep increasing his workload. Regarding the goalie’s anticipated return to action, he remained silent.
Lindholm is “getting close,” according to Tocchet, and could play on Wednesday when the Canucks host the Arizona Coyotes.
The upper-body injury that has sidelined the 29-year-old Swedish forward since March 23 is not new.
“I was obviously trying to fight through it in my case. Simply could not continue,” Lindholm remarked on Tuesday. It made sense to give it time to heal.
and ideally return to the ice rather quickly.
On January 31, the Canucks acquired Lindholm in a blockbuster trade with the Flames. In exchange, Vancouver sent Calgary two defensive prospects, winger Andrei Kuzmenko, a conditional fourth-round selection, and a first-round pick this year’s draft.
Despite this setback, Lindholm has managed to record five goals and four assists in 22 games since joining the Canucks.
When he gets back on the ice, he hopes to have a greater influence.
“I obviously came to this place to perform well in the postseason. Obviously, it has not worked out thus far in the regular season. Thus, I am eager to get this going,” he remarked.
“I am confident, happy, and motivated, so maybe I can be back playing soon, play a couple games and get going and be ready.
