Nick Bjugstad Returns To Utah HC Lineup Tomorrow

Andre Tourigny knew at some point Nick Bjugstad would return.

He just wasn't sure if it would be on the road tomorrow at Los Angeles, or Monday at home against San Jose.

After seeing Bjugstad skate today, the Utah Hockey Club's head coach confirmed he would be starting tomorrow against the Los Angeles Kings in Tinseltown.

In a corresponding move, Kailer Yamamoto, who has made quite an impact in the past few games, was sent down to Tucson to open the spot for Bjugstad to be activated from injured reserve.

Bjugstad's return couldn't have come at a better time with Utah currently in a slump of four losses in five games, and scoring only 6 goals over that stretch, including last night's shelling by Colorado.

Related: Colorado Thrashes Utah HC

"He's a well-liked guy in the room," Tourigny said. "There's no bad days in his life. We're all happy to have him back."

Tourigny added the lines will once again be jumbled up tomorrow, with Bjugstad on the checking trio with Matias Maccelli and Lawson Crouse, and Josh Doan moving up to the second line.

The fourth line gets heavier too, with Jack McBain, Kevin Stenlund, and Alex Kerfoot expected to wreak havoc physically against a big Kings team.

Regardless, Tourigny said Bjugstad has had success in the past with Maccelli and Crouse, and perhaps it'll provide the spark that Utah's struggling offence needs.

"Last week, it was going really well (his progress)," Tourigny added. "I had a chat with Z (head athletic trainer Dave Zenobi) and him, and Z said he could push for Saturday. That's when we knew he could play."

For more on tomorrow's opponent, start here by revisiting Utah HC's win over L.A. in the pre-season:

Related: Against Physical Kings, Utah HC Brought Its Own Edge

Related: Utah HC Downs Los Angeles In Overtime In Historic Home Pre-Season Opener