The Canucks are still nearly a week away from finding out whether or not their long layoff will make them rusty for Wednesday's Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
But they know now that three key injured players will be rested enough to rejoin the action.
Forward Ryan Kesler, who missed some time during Tuesday's series clincher against the Sharks, won't be limited in any fashion. Kesler appeared to pull a muscle or suffer a cramp, but he returned to score the overtime-forcing goal with 13.2 seconds remaining in the third period.
Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome will be back in the lineup for Game 1 after each missed Games 4 and 5 of the Western Conference Finals, according to NHL.com. Ehrhoff suffered an apparent shoulder injury, and Rome appeared to suffer a concussion.
In a surprising development, center Manny Malhotra was cleared by doctors Friday to fully participate in contract drills in practice, according to TSN. Malhotra suffered a serious eye injury in March and was believed to be done for the season. Malhotra has been practicing for some time now, but he hasn't been able to take contact due to the injury, which occurred when he caught a puck in the eye against the Avalanche.
Vigneault told reporters Thursday that Malhotra "still has more to do with that eye" before returning to game action.
