Canucks get Hughes back after 4-game absence

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes returned to the lineup Monday for a 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime.

The reigning Norris Trophy winner missed four games with an undisclosed injury.

Hughes led the Canucks in assists (34) and points (42) when he got hurt. He raised those totals to 36 and 44 with a pair of helpers Monday night. The American's average ice time of 25:08 through 34 contests (coming into the game) ranked sixth in the NHL.

The 25-year-old was a game-time decision Dec. 23, but he ultimately played in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks.

The Canucks went 1-2-1 without Hughes. They split a back-to-back against the Seattle Kraken (a shootout victory) and Nashville Predators (a 3-0 defeat) on Thursday and Friday. The Calgary Flames beat Vancouver 3-1 last Tuesday, and the Kraken edged the Canucks in overtime Dec. 28.

Hughes suited up for his 400th career game Monday night. He won the Norris in June after racking up 92 points (including 17 goals) while playing all 82 contests last season.

The Florida-born defenseman is in his seventh campaign with the Canucks, who drafted him seventh overall in 2018.

Vancouver has also been without forward Elias Pettersson, who missed his fifth straight game Monday. The Canucks have reportedly explored trading Pettersson and J.T. Miller amid an apparent feud between the two key centers.

The Canucks sit fourth in the Pacific Division at 18-12-9.