As they emerge from the all-star break for the National Hockey League’s stretch run, the Vancouver Canucks are out of excuses.
That tough schedule we have heard so much about is suddenly favourable, with a long stretch of home games ahead of them. And their lengthy list of injuries have all healed.
In fact, when the Canucks host John Tortorella and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, they could be a completely healthy team.
Captain Henrik Sedin, who missed four games before the all-star break, was at practice Tuesday and is expected to play Thursday. Defenceman Dan Hamhuis practised again Tuesday and pronounced himself fit.