Canucks goaltender Schneider returns to practice, but playoff status uncertain

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider returned to practice Monday.

However his status for the first game of the Stanley Cup quarterfinals against the San Jose Sharks remained uncertain. Game 1 of the series is Wednesday night.

Schneider was injured April 22 in a win over Chicago, when he played the whole game without any apparent discomfort. He had not practiced with the team since then and missed Vancouver's final two regular-season games, but worked out briefly with an assistant coach Sunday.

Coach Alain Vigneault said Schneider's status remains day to day.

"It wasn't really a rest issue," Schneider said. "It was a day-to-day injury, and I had to take some time off."

Schneider said he knows when he was injured against the Blackhawks, but declined to elaborate. He has been making progress in his recovery and hopes to play against the Sharks at some point.

"I'd love to play in the playoffs," Schneider said. "I've felt good about how I've been playing lately."