Elias Lindholm Returns To The Ice After Prolonged Absence
Lindholm has missed the last six games with an undisclosed injury.
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Elias Lindholm Returns To The Ice After Prolonged AbsenceFor the first time in almost three weeks, Elias Lindholm was on the ice with his Vancouver Canucks teammates. Lindholm has not played since Mar. 23 and has been absent from the team with an undisclosed injury. While he remains out of the lineup, Lindholm was seen practicing on the penalty kill, indicating his return to the lineup could come sooner rather than later.
In the six games Lindholm has missed, the Canucks have struggled to pick up points and kill penalties. Vancouver has a record of 2-4 since Mar. 23 and is 68.2% on the penalty kill. Vancouver's offence has also dried up, scoring only 14 goals while Lindholm has been out of the lineup.
Since joining the Canucks after the all-star break, Lindholm has nine points in 22 games. Where he has been most effective is in the faceoff dot, winning 60.4% of his 288 faceoffs. Lindholm has also played a significant role on the penalty kill, which is operating at 78.5% with him in the lineup.
With five games to go in the regular season, Lindholm's impending return to the lineup could provide a massive boost to the team. Not only would it allow Vancouver to balance out their centers, but help the Canucks penalty kill and defensive game. Currently in a fight with the Edmonton Oilers for the Pacific Division crown, Vancouver needs to start rounding into form ahead of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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