Miller's return gives Canucks two goaltending options

The Vancouver Canucks will have two dependable NHL veteran goaltenders when the Stanley Cup playoffs begin.
Ryan Miller, out since Feb. 22 with a knee injury, dressed as the backup as the Canucks hosted the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. He is expected to start Saturday when the Canucks wrap up the regular season at home against the Edmonton Oilers.
As a result, coach Willie Desjardins can now choose from Eddie Lack, who has played most games in his absence, or Miller in the playoffs.
“I’m excited for the possibility here and I’m just trying to take it day by day and work my way into becoming an option first,” Miller said earlier this week.
Miller, in his first season with the Canucks, was unavailable to reporters Thursday as he stayed out on the ice late during an optional morning skate. He went into the dressing room after it was closed to media.
“I was pushing, trying to get back for one of the last games,” said Miller. “If I was going to have an opportunity to get some game action, that would be the hope.”
Miller has posted a 28-15-1 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage this season. Desjardins indicated Wednesday that he will start one regular-season game before the playoffs, leaving only Saturday’s contest against the Oilers.
“We’ll just have to monitor these next couple days to see where he’s at,” said Desjardins. “We’d like to get him in a game, but we’ll have to see where he’s at.”
The situation is reminiscent of past years when former Canucks Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider battled for the No. 1 position. Desjardins has declined to name a starter until the post-season begins.
“You never make that decision right now,” said Desjardins. “That decision will be made before the first playoff game. But, saying that, I think Eddie’s played really well. We needed him to step up. We had a lot of hockey left without Ryan, and he did a terrific job for us and he certainly got us into the playoffs. So you always take that into consideration.”
The Canucks returned Jacob Markstrom to Utica of the AHL on Thursday. Markstrom has a 1-1-0 record in three appearances with Vancouver this season. He was with the Canucks on an emergency recall basis as a result of Miller’s injury.
Once Miller was deemed healthy enough to play, Markstrom had to return to the minors.