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THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks have endured a challenging week but they finally received some good news Friday as defenceman Kevin Bieksa returned to practice.

Bieksa, who has five goals, one assist and is plus-six in 17 games this season, suffered a groin injury during the 1-0 win in Nashville last week. The Canucks dropped games to Detroit and Phoenix while he was out of the lineup.

On Friday, Bieksa appeared on the ice with his teammates at Rogers Arena for the first time since that setback and skated alongside Alex Edler on the first power-play unit.

Bieksa would not say if he would be ready to suit up against the Los Angeles Kings (10-6-2) in Vancouver on Saturday night.

"(It was my) first skate with the guys, it was OK," the 31-year-old veteran said. "It's getting better but I don't have anything too interesting to tell you other than we'll see how it feels (Saturday).

"It felt good though, I was happy with the way I felt today."

The Canucks (10-5-4) have dropped their last three games at Rogers Arena and given up three or more goals in six of their last seven games.

Bieksa has the bigger picture in mind, with Vancouver scheduled to play 16 games this month.

"We have a lot of games coming up in a short time here," he said. "So I don't want to come back and have to leave again and leave my team short-handed.

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Bieksa back at practice, no word on return