Vancouver Canucks get Hughes back and there's good news with Garland too
The Vancouver Canucks have been decimated by injuries this season, but two of their most important players are nearing a return.
Quinn Hughes will play in Nashville on Monday after missing the last four games, reportedly due to a groin injury.
“I feel good. I’m excited to play,” Hughes told Canucks reporter Olivia McDonald.
“Obviously, it’s the worst missing games. Felt really good coming into the season, too. It is what it is, with the schedule, I think everyone’s going to be going through things. Excited to be back.”
But the good news doesn’t just pertain to Hughes. Conor Garland and Teddy Blueger are getting close to returning, too.
“Garly’s close,” Canucks head coach Adam Foote told reporters in Nashville. “Blueger’s the next one probably back.”
It’s been a trying time for the Canucks, who were missing eight skaters during Saturday’s 5-2 loss in Minnesota. In addition to Hughes, Garland, and Blueger, the Canucks played without Filip Chytil, Nils Höglander, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Derek Forbort, and Victor Mancini.
“Guys have been hanging on,” said Foote. “It’s no secret what’s been going on with our team. We’re getting through it. Guys are getting better through the process.”
The Canucks have a 6-7-0 record through 13 games. Garland currently leads the team in scoring with 11 points (3-8-11) in 11 games. Kiefer Sherwood has been on a tear, leading the team with nine goals in 13 games.
Elias Pettersson is third in scoring with eight points (3-5-8) in 13 games, ahead of Hughes, who has seven points (1-6-7) in nine games.
The Canucks didn’t do line rushes on Monday, so we’ll need to wait for the pre-game warmup to see how the team lines up. Thatcher Demko is expected to make a second straight start in net, per Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy.
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