Boeser set to return for Canucks against Islanders
Forward says he'll play after missing 12 games with rib injury
by Kevin Woodley / NHL.com Independent Correspondent
VANCOUVER -- Brock Boeser said he will play for the Vancouver Canucks against the New York Islanders on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; ESPN+, SNP, MSG+, NHL.TV) after the forward missed 12 games with fractured rib cartilage.
Boeser skated with teammates Sunday for the first time since he was injured Feb. 8. He took regular line rushes at right wing with Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson during the morning skate Tuesday.
"I have been feeling pretty good, and I am ready to go and help this team out any way I can," Boeser said. "I don't think I'd put myself in this potion if I wasn't ready, so I feel ready enough, but obviously I am going to be taking shorter shifts tonight."
Boeser is tied for fifth on the Canucks with 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists). Canucks general manager Jim Benning said 10 days after Boeser's injury that he could be out eight weeks and "be done for the year."
"We just had a few guys in the past that had different timelines, so it was kind of hard to say when I will be ready," Boeser said. "I was doing everything I can to get back as fast as I could."
Vancouver is 1-5-0 in its past six games and one point behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
"It's frustrating not being out there, especially crunch time," Boeser said. "Every game you have to play it like it's do or die. It was tough to watch, but I'm excited to be back in these games."