SPORTSNET.CA

The Vancouver Canucks received some good news on defenceman Kevin Bieksa Wednesday when an MRI revealed there is no structural damage to his injured left knee.

Bieksa suffered the injury in Vancouver’s 5-4 overtime win over Calgary on Saturday. He was shaken up five minutes into the first period after a collision with Flames centre Wayne Primeau. Bieksa left the ice gingerly and did not return.

The Canucks initially feared the worst but it now appears that Bieksa may be back with the team before their six-game, 12-day road trip is done. In fact, the knee is responding so well to treatment that Bieksa is hoping to be in the line-up Sunday when the Canucks take on the Blackhawks in Chicago.

In other Canucks news, Lawrence Nycholat has been taken off the injured list and head coach Alain Vigneault hinted that the defenceman may see some game action before the Canucks return home.

Following Saturday's away win in Calgary, Vancouver continued its road swing with a 5-1 loss to the Capitals in Washington Monday night. The Canucks will now visit the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.