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Canucks' Matthias will return to the lineup Saturday

Tom Szczerbowski / USA TODAY Sports

Vancouver Canucks forward Shawn Matthias will return from an apparent head injury Saturday night, giving the Canucks a much needed injection of forward size when they face the New York Rangers.

Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins confirmed to reporters following the club's gameday skate Saturday morning that Matthias will play.

Matthias sustained injury on Dec. 6 when he was elbowed in the head by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Stephane Robidas. Robidas was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing on the play, but received no further supplementary discipline to the chagrin of Canucks president Trevor Linden

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound forward has logged third-line minutes at even-strength for the Canucks this season, while also contributing on the penalty kill. A natural center, the Canucks have experimented with Matthias on the wing. It's an experiment which appeared to be playing dividends in the games leading up to Matthias' injury.

The big forward will join his usual linemates Linden Vey and Brad Richardson on the Canucks' third-line. 

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