Canucks' Boeser back in lineup vs. Bruins

The Vancouver Canucks are getting winger Brock Boeser back Tuesday night when they take on the Boston Bruins, head coach Rick Tocchet announced.

Boeser missed the previous seven games after being injured Nov. 7 by a high hit from Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot.

The incident occurred in the first period of Vancouver's 4-2 victory. Jeannot was assessed a match penalty for an illegal check to the head, and Boeser was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Jeannot was suspended for three games as a result of the hit.

Vancouver went 3-4-0 in Boeser's absence. The team entered Tuesday ranking third in the Pacific Division in points percentage (.605) and holding a 10-6-3 record.

Boeser shed his noncontact jersey and was a full participant during Monday's practice.

Despite missing time, Boeser is still tied for the team lead with six goals and sits in seventh with 11 points in 12 games.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2023-24, amassing 40 goals and 73 points while appearing in all but one regular-season contest.

Boeser maintained his productivity in the playoffs with seven tallies and 12 points in 12 outings, but he missed Game 7 of the second round against the Edmonton Oilers with a blood-clotting issue. Even if Vancouver had advanced to the Western Conference Final, Boeser wasn't expected to return to action that spring.

Though Boeser's return is a welcome sight for the Canucks, they are still without forward J.T. Miller and 2024 Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko.