Brock Boeser is ready to return to Canucks' lineup soon

Brock Boeser looks and sounds like a player that’s ready to return to game action.

The Canucks winger has been nursing a groin injury ever since re-aggravating it on November 2nd. He flew to Detroit to start the Canucks’ six-game road trip in early November, but didn’t play a single game. Instead, he flew back to Vancouver to see a specialist.

By all indications, Boeser will be in the lineup soon – perhaps as early as Tuesday night’s home game against the Los Angeles Kings.

no easing his way back in to practice for #Canucks Boeser. Has been involved in all aspects. Including end of practice line skating

— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) November 26, 2018

Participating in his first full practice in over three weeks, the 21-year-old pushed hard, skating on a line with Elias Pettersson and Nikolay Goldobin. He was also in his usual spot on the Canucks’ top unit power play.

Monday practice lines for the #Canucks:

Roussel-Horvat-Gagner
Goldobin-Pettersson-Boeser
Eriksson-Granlund-Virtanen
Schaller/Leipsic-Gaudette-Motte
Boucher

Del Zotto-Tanev
Hutton-Gudbranson
Edler-Biega
Pouliot-Stecher

— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) November 26, 2018

“It’s been a while since I got to skate around with the guys,” Boeser told reporters after practice. “It was nice to get out there and skate with them, and it felt good. We’ll see how I am for tomorrow morning and go from there.”

While he didn’t declare his status for Tuesday, he was a welcome sight for coaches, teammates, and fans.

Boeser appeared to be playing through pain in the first month of the season. Though it slowed him down, he was still able to pick up 11 points in 13 games.

“I didn’t want it to linger all year because that could turn into something even worse if you keep playing with an injury,” Boeser explained, adding that he feels a lot better than a week ago.

“I’ve been feeling good. I’m glad to be back.”

Boeser’s teammates have struggled without him, winning just two of 11 games since his last game. After a road-heavy first couple of months, the Canucks will finally see a long stretch of action at home.

The Canucks’ next five games and 10 of their next 13 will take place at Rogers Arena.

See also