The injury-plagued Vancouver Canucks may get a crucial piece back in their lineup when they visit the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.
Star defenceman Quinn Hughes is a “game-time decision” for the matchup, said head coach Rick Tocchet.
“Hughes is a possibility,” he told reporters after the blue liner took part in an optional morning skate.
The Canucks captain has missed four games with an undisclosed injury but practised Sunday.
“It’s nice to be back. Obviously I hate missing time,” Hughes said. “I don’t know what it was before. I played, like, 190 games in a row. I want to take care of my body and be available. So we’ll see how it goes.”
The 25-year-old American won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman last year and leads the Canucks in points with eight goals and 24 assists this season.
Vancouver (18-12-8) has struggled with the absences of key …