Will Ryan Miller be ready to play when the playoffs start?
That’s the pressing question in Vancouver, where backup Eddie Lack has done an admirable job of holding down the crease since Miller skated off with an injury more than a month ago.
In a positive sign, Miller returned to Canucks practice Friday, joining the team in Winnipeg.
“We’ll just go day to day with him and see where he’s at. Hopefully he can get into a game or two at the end of the season here,” general manager Jim Benning told Sportsnet’s Brady & Walker Friday.
“It’ll be nice having him back,” Lack told reporters Thursday night. “I miss having him around.”
Miller, 34, has been out of the Canucks lineup since late February, when he sprained his knee during a victory over the New York Islanders.
The veteran No. 1 goaltender was reportedly given a timetable of four to six weeks — minimum — after colliding with teammate Jannik Hansen. Fans have been hopeful Miller would be back in time for the playoffs.
Thrust into the starter’s role, Lack has gone 16-12-4 this season with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.
“I’m of the belief that you need two good goalies to win,” said Benning. “We’ve needed both of them this year.”
The Canucks are on pace to lock up the second seed in Pacific Division and home-ice advantage in a first-round match-up versus either the Calgary Flames or Los Angeles Kings. Vancouver has just four games remaining on its schedule, which concludes April 11 versus Edmonton.
It is unknown when Miller will see game action, but his recovery is reportedly still on schedule.
