The Vancouver Canucks are getting some welcome reinforcements against the New Jersey Devils.
Centre Filip Chytil confirmed he is returning to the lineup on Friday, three months after suffering a concussion.
"I'm very excited, it was a long time," Chytil told reporters pre-game. "I can't wait to be out there with my teammates and finally be on the ice."
Chytil was injured on Oct. 19 after he was on the receiving end of an open-ice hit from Washington Capitals bruiser Tom Wilson. He stayed down on the ice for some time after the hit and had to be helped off the ice by trainers.
"I've never missed three months in the regular season, so I'm not expecting to come back and fly around (on his) first shift," he said. "I just have to be patient and go shift-by-shift."
The 26-year-old had recently returned to practising in a full-contact jersey.
Chytil had gotten off to a solid start in his first full season with the Canucks, tallying three goals in the team's first six games. He was part of the trade last season that sent J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers.
However, he has a history of head injuries and missed the end of the 2024-25 season after suffering a concussion in March. He played only 10 games in the 2023-24 season with the Rangers after sustaining a concussion in November.
You can watch the Canucks take on the Devils Friday night at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
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