Canucks’ Pettersson skates with team for first time since concussion

VANCOUVER — Leading rookie scorer Elias Pettersson skated with his Vancouver Canucks teammates Monday morning for the first time since suffering a concussion on Oct. 13 and is expected to travel for road games this week in Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Pettersson, injured when thrown to the ice by Florida Panthers defenceman Michael Matheson during a 3-2 Canucks win in Sunrise, Fla., is expected to practise fully with teammates on Tuesday.

The Canucks visit the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, then play the next night against the Arizona Coyotes.

Canucks coach Travis Green said after this morning’s skate that Pettersson continues to follow “concussion protocol.” Vancouver plays its fourth game without the 19-year-old Monday night against the Washington Capitals.

With five goals and eight points in five games, Pettersson still leads the Canucks in scoring and is the top scorer among all National Hockey League rookies.

Asked if the Swedish teenager is being handled the same way any player would in the concussion protocol, Green said the Canucks will take everything into consideration before clearing Pettersson to play. Matheson was suspended two games for his body-slam on Petterson.

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