Canucks forward Brandon Sutter out 6-8 weeks with sports hernia

Vancouver Canucks' Brandon Sutter brings the puck up the ice as Tampa Bay Lightning's Anthony Cirelli gives chase. (Mike Carlson/AP)

Vancouver Canucks centre Brandon Sutter likely is done for the season after the team announced he will undergo surgery for a sports hernia on his right side.

The team says the 30-year-old’s recovery time is expected to be six to eight weeks.

Sutter is no stranger to the procedure — he had surgery for a sports hernia on his left side in 2015.

Vancouver (27-30-9) entered play Tuesday eight points out of a wild-card spot in the congested Western Conference. Their final regular-season game of 2018-19 is scheduled for April 6.

Sutter hasn’t played since the Canucks beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 on Feb. 9.

The veteran also missed 30 games earlier this season after he separated his shoulder in a Canucks win over the Minnesota Wild in late October.

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