VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Center Manny Malhotra has returned to practice with the Vancouver Canucks, continuing his comeback from a career-threatening eye injury.
Malhotra skated mostly with the Canucks’ reserve forwards Friday at the University of British Columbia. Coach Alain Vigneault still won’t confirm whether Malhotra will play in Game 2 on Saturday night.
Malhotra hasn’t played since a deflected puck hit him in the face March 16. He is a faceoff specialist and a key defensive forward for the Canucks.
Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis didn’t skate in Friday’s practice after apparently getting hurt in Game 1. Vigneault refused to provide an update on Hamhuis’ health or who might replace him in the lineup.
