Daniel Sedin returns from injury to Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)—High-scoring Swedish forward Daniel Sedin(notes) returned to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday after missing 18 NHL games since his foot was broken by a teammate’s shot on Oct. 7.

Sedin has led the Canucks in goals in each of the last three seasons.

Sedin would be reunited on the Canucks’ top line with identical twin Henrik, likely on Sunday at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“They’re still good players when they’re not with one another. Hank has proved that,” head coach Alain Vignault said this week. “But, obviously, I believe they’re better together.”

Daniel and Henrik were drafted second and third overall in 1999 by the Canucks and have played most of their NHL careers on the same line, evolving into point-a-game players over the last three seasons. But Daniel’s first serious injury—he had only missed 10 games before that in his nine-year career — has proven Henrik can produce offensively without his twin.

He recorded 18 points without Daniel—including 10 goals, leading the team — and is tied for 10th in the NHL in scoring with 24 points. With 13 goals already, Henrik is also proving he is more than a set-up center, and is on pace to smash last season’s career-best 23.

Daniel, who scored 31 goals last season, had four assists in his first four games this season, while Henrik had three goals and three assists before losing his regular linemate on Oct. 7.