The injury-plagued Vancouver Canucks may get a key piece back in their lineup when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says star defenceman Quinn Hughes is a “game-time decision” for the matchup.
Hughes has missed four games with an undisclosed injury, but he practiced Sunday and participated in an optional pregame skate in Montreal on Monday.
The 25-year-old American won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman last year and leads the Canucks (18-12-8) in points with eight goals and 24 assists this season.
Tocchet says he doesn’t expect centre Elias Pettersson (undisclosed) or goaltender Thatcher Demko (back spasms) to return to the lineup against the Habs.
Vancouver also placed winger Dakota Joshua (undisclosed) on the injured reserve list on Monday and recalled forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki from the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks on an emergency basis.