CANUCKS’ THATCHER DEMKO RETURNS TO THE ICE AHEAD OF GAME 6 VS. PREDATORS

It’s a big day for Vancouver Canucks fans.

Thatcher Demko returned to the ice on Thursday, and is expected to skate again on Friday ahead of Game 6 in the Canucks-Predators Stanley Cup Playoffs series.

However, it’s unclear if the goaltender will suit up Friday night.

The 28-year-old suffered an undisclosed injury during Vancouver’s 4-2 win over Nashville in Game 1.

Head coach Rick Tocchet told reporters last week that Demko was still “week-to-week,” so him skating is a new development.

The American missed 14 games with a lower-body injury at the end of the Canucks’ Pacific Division-winning season. He returned for their penultimate regular-season game, where he secured a 4-1 victory.

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However, Tocchet previously said his earlier injury is unrelated to the one sidelining him from the playoffs.

The Canucks visit the Predators on Friday for Game 6, with Vancouver leading the series 3-2.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

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