The Vancouver Canucks appear set to add some reinforcements sooner than we originally thought.
During Friday’s pregame media availability, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet shared an update on both Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, both of whom have been out with injuries since the Canucks returned from the holiday break.
“Him and Quinn aren’t in, but they’re getting close,” said Tocchet when asked if Pettersson and Hughes would be in the lineup for Friday evening’s game against the Nashville Predators. “Petey’s been skating, and Quinn quite a bit. They’ll be with us [on the road trip] for sure.”
The Canucks are set for a five-game road trip out east where they will take on the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets before returning home to take on the LA Kings on January 16th.
Hughes suffered his injury during the Canucks’ overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators back on December 21st, and was a gametime decision for their next game against the San Jose Sharks on the 23rd. Hughes played in that game, and upon the Canucks’ return from the holiday break, Hughes was out and labelled by the team as week-to-week.
It’s less clear what injury Pettersson is dealing with, but he too has been unavailable to the Canucks since their return from the holiday break. Tocchet described Pettersson’s injury as more of a day-to-day matter, and it seemed like he’d be back sooner than Hughes, so we will see if that’s what happens on this road trip.
In the two players’ absence, the Canucks are 1-1-1, and will play game number four without the two players when they take on the Predators this evening.
Hughes’s absence has undoubtedly been felt the most, as the Canucks’ lack of puck-moving defenceman — which was an issue even with Hughes in the lineup this season — has been on full display during all three games. That being said, it has opened the door for other players to step up, as we saw Tyler Myers do during last night’s shootout win over Seattle.
Nonetheless, the Canucks are going to get a massive boost when Hughes returns to the lineup, and fans certainly can’t wait to see which game the captain is able to return for if he is indeed able to play on this road trip.
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