Eddie Lack goes with flow amidst uncertainty about Ryan Miller's return

Eddie Lack has heard the reports, but he’s not paying them much attention.
Reports have indicated that Vancouver Canucks starting goaltender Ryan Miller will not return before the end of the regular season because of a knee injury suffered Feb. 22. That means Lack has a chance to be Vancouver’s starter come playoff time, presuming the Canucks qualify for the post-season.
But Lack is not willing to ponder a scenario which could see him between the pipes during Vancouver’s quest for the Stanley Cup. Instead, he is adopting an existential approach to life in the crease.
“I’m not looking at (Miller’s injury) differently or anything,” he said as the Canucks prepared to play the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rogers Arena. “I’m just trying to do my job every day and just take it game by game here and see where we end up. First of all, we have to make the playoffs, too.”
Lack, 27, who is only in his second full NHL season after three years in the Canucks’ minor-league system, has thrived during Miller’s absence, helping Vancouver hold on to a playoff berth amidst constant pressure from the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings.
The chance of him matching the 41 games he played as a rookie as a result of the Roberto Luongo trade is increasing. But Lack remains unfazed as he works on perfecting his craft.
“I’m feeling good right now,” he said. “It’s just fun playing and coming to the rink every day and just battling and going to war every day with the boys.”
Sometimes the war includes a friendly verbal joust with teammates. Such was the case Thursday as defenceman Kevin Bieksa praised Lack, who is known for his sense of humour and playful nature, while also accusing him of being caught out of position at times.
“On the ice, he’s very mature – not so much off the ice,” said Bieksa. “But on the ice, he seems to be able to stay in the moment, not get too down when a goal is scored against him. He seems to be making the big saves at the right time, and he’s a battler first and foremost.
“He’s not going to like this, but he’s not always in position. But he battles and he throws everything he can to make a save, and he’s stolen a lot of points for his team.”
Lack, of course, disagreed with Bieksa, contending that the opposite is the case and he is usually in position.
Meanwhile, coach Willie Desjardins also refuted the reports that Miller will be out longer than expected.
“I think Ryan’s on track from everything that I’ve heard (from the team’s medical staff),” said Desjardins.
Miller has skated on his own, but not in his gear, as he rehabilitates his knee.
“He was out on the ice and I think he’s on track,” said Desjardins. “The good thing with where we are, we’re happy with the way Eddie’s playing. We don’t have to force (Miller) in or anything. But he’s on track. Nothing’s changed.”