Canucks' Hughes week-to-week, Pettersson a week away

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes is week-to-week and forward Elias Pettersson is considered a week away from returning, head coach Rick Tocchet said Sunday, according to The Nation Network's Jeff Paterson.

Both are out with undisclosed injuries. Hughes and Pettersson didn't play in Saturday's overtime loss against the Seattle Kraken. They won't travel with Vancouver on its road trip to play the Calgary Flames and Kraken.

The Canucks captain was considered a game-time decision for Vancouver's 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Monday, though Hughes was able to play. He saw a team-high 24:45 minutes of ice time and recorded two assists.

"Well, he couldn't have hurt what he has anymore," Tocchet said Sunday in defense of the decision to play Hughes on Monday, according to Paterson. "He's a tough kid, and he won us the game with a couple of assists. I don't think him not playing would have made any difference. We're all hockey players. You want to play. He gutted it out for us, and we won the game."

Pettersson departed Monday's game after playing just one shift in the third period. He scored twice in a 44-second span in the second frame.

Hughes ranks second among NHL defensemen with 42 points. He paces Vancouver in scoring by 14 points.

Pettersson is tied for second on the Canucks with 28 points in 34 games. His 10 goals are fifth on the team.

Vancouver is fourth in the Pacific Division with 42 points. The Canucks return home against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 3 after away games in Calgary and Seattle.