Canucks centre Elias Pettersson a game-time decision vs. Capitals

Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson (40) and San Jose Sharks' Ty Dellandrea (53) vie for the puck during second period NHL hockey action in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

 GAC

WASHINGTON - The Vancouver Canucks may have star centre Elias Pettersson back in their lineup when they visit the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet says the 26-year-old Swede is a game-time decision, depending on whether he feels comfortable.聽

Pettersson has not played since Dec. 23 when he left Vancouver's 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks with an undisclosed injury after scoring two goals.聽

Tocchet says all-star goalie Thatcher Demko is also nearing a return but will not dress for Vancouver in Washington.聽

Demko returned from a rare knee injury in mid-December but was sidelined again by back spasms in Vancouver's 4-3 shootout win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.

The Canucks (18-12-9) announced earlier on Wednesday that top-pairing defenceman Filip Hronek has been assigned to the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks for a conditioning stint after missing six weeks with a lower-body injury.

This report by 春色直播was first published Jan. 8, 2025.

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