Canucks G Markstrom returns from leave of absence

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom has returned from a leave of absence during which he attended to an undisclosed family matter. Markstrom practiced with the Canucks on Friday in Newark, N.J., as the club prepares for games against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday and New York Rangers on Sunday.

After the practice, Markstrom declined to discuss his family issue and requested privacy. He did answer hockey-related questions from the assembled media. "It was fun to watch them get two big wins," Markstrom said in reference to Vancouver's victories over the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. "Hopefully we can keep this train rolling."

Thatcher Demko, who was in goal for both wins, is slated to start on Saturday. Markstrom likely will be back in the net for Sunday's contest against the Rangers. Markstrom, 29, is 2-2-0 with a 2.23 goals-against average and .926 save percentage this season. He is in his seventh season with Vancouver and third as the team's primary goalie.

Goalie Zane McIntyre, who was recalled from Utica on Monday when Markstrom's leave of absence was announced, was sent back to the American Hockey League team on Friday. 

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)