Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier planning for injury return vs. Canucks

The Anaheim Ducks are getting some good news heading into a game on Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks. Ducks star winger Cutter Gauthier could return to the ice for the game, per NHL.com. He has missed five games due to an upper body injury.

“Yep, that’s the plan,” Gauthier told reporters after practice Saturday. He has 38 goals on the season for Anaheim, and leads the team in goals.

Gauthier is also tied for first on the team in total points. He has 65 points on the campaign. Anaheim is holding a 42-32-5 record on the season.

Anaheim may also be getting another player back, too. Defenseman Radko Gudas could also return for the Ducks on Sunday, as he is dealing with a lower body ailment.

Ducks need a win over the Canucks

Anaheim needs both of these players on the ice. The Ducks are in desperation mode as the regular season comes to a close in the NHL.

“The Ducks narrowly missed out on clinching a playoff spot based on Saturday’s results, but can right that wrong with a win of any kind or an OT/shootout loss to the Canucks. Like Montreal, Anaheim is also still alive for a division title; but also like the Canadiens, the Ducks will lose the RW tiebreaker to either team ahead of them, so they need all the points they can get,” ESPN reported on Sunday.

If Gauthier is able to return Sunday as expected, that would likely give an immediate boost to Anaheim’s offense.

“Gauthier has the most goals (38) by a Ducks player since Corey Perry scored 43 in 2013-14, and his 12 goals in March were also the most in any month since Perry had 15 in March of 2011,” NHL.com reported.

Anaheim and Vancouver play Sunday night at 8:00 ET. The Ducks then have two regular season games remaining after that, against Minnesota and Nashville.

Gauthier last took the ice in a game for Anaheim on March 30.

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