Canucks' Demko Set to Return vs. Sabres

Vancouver, British Columbia - The Vancouver Canucks are poised to welcome back starting goaltender Thatcher Demko from a lower-body injury for their home game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, providing a potential lift to a team mired in the Pacific Division basement.

Demko, who has been sidelined since November 11, participated in a full practice with teammates on Tuesday and reported feeling good about his recovery. He described the injury as a minor tweak sustained in the first period of a game against the Winnipeg Jets shortly after returning from another ailment. Head coach Adam Foote indicated that if Demko's session on Wednesday proceeds without issue, he will reclaim his spot in the net. The 30-year-old American netminder has posted a 5-4-0 record this season in 10 appearances, along with a .903 save percentage and 2.80 goals-against average.

The Canucks have managed without their top goaltender through a combination of steady play from backup Kevin Lankinen and occasional strong outings by Nikita Tolopilo. Lankinen has shouldered the bulk of the starts, though his performance has lagged behind Demko's metrics. Vancouver enters the matchup with an 11-16-3 record,...