Canucks’ Quinn Hughes returns to play vs. Montreal [Video]

The injury-plagued Vancouver Canucks inserted a crucial piece back into their lineup against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.

Star defenceman Quinn Hughes returned for the matchup after missing four games with an undisclosed injury. The Canucks captain practised Sunday and took part in Vancouver’s optional morning skate Monday.

“It’s nice to be back. Obviously I hate missing time,” Hughes said Sunday. “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 this season with eight goals and 24 assists.

Vancouver (18-12-8) has struggled with the absences of key players all season and several holes remain on the roster.

Centre Elias Pettersson and goalie Thatcher Demko were both on …