Thatcher Demko is ready to return to action.

The Vancouver Canucks goaltender, who’s been sidelined with a lower-body injury since December, has been skating lately and took part in another full practice with his teammates today. Although a reported setback prevented him from backing up last Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers as he had originally hoped, Demko could start tomorrow against the Boston Bruins.

“He’s close,” said head coach Rick Tocchet when asked about when Demko might return. “This week, whether it’s tomorrow or next game, it’s close.”

Demko also told reporters today that he feels 100% and is hopeful that he’ll be in the lineup in the coming days.

Demko has been out since December 1st, when he suffered a lower-body injury during the Canucks’ home matchup against the Florida Panthers. It was a non-contact injury, which is obviously always a concern for any player, especially a goaltender.

Demko was joined by Arturs Silovs on the ice as the only other goaltender at practice today, with Collin Delia absent.

It will certainly be interesting to see how the Canucks work out their goaltending situation for the rest of the season at the NHL level. After months of Collin Delia and Spencer Martin being unable to get the job done behind a subpar Canucks defence, the young and promising young Latvian netminder Silovs has amassed a 2-1 record across his first three career NHL starts.

The Canucks are not slated to hold a morning skate tomorrow, which means we won’t know until closer to puck drop if Demko is good to go against the monstrous Bruins. If it’s not Demko, expect to see Arturs Silovs pick up his fourth career start in what is certain to be the toughest task of his young career.

Puck drop between the Canucks and Bruins is scheduled for 4 PM Pacific on Saturday from Rogers Arena.