VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Canucks have cleared the way for goaltender Ryan Miller to return to active duty by sending Jacob Markstrom to the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League.

Miller is expected to back up Eddie Lack when the Canucks face the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night. He hasn't been on the Canucks' bench since suffering a right knee injury in a game against the New York Islanders on Feb. 22.

Miller has a 28-15-1 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in his first season with the Canucks.

Markstrom has a 1-1-0 record in three appearances with the Canucks this season.

He has a record of 19-7-2, including five shutouts, with Utica.