NHL Status Report: Injuries and Lineup Changes
The NHL is abuzz with the latest lineup and injury news. Here's a breakdown of the key updates, including notable absences and returns.
Vegas Golden Knights
Mark Stone, the Golden Knights' captain, will miss the game against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. He left the ice in the final minute of the first period of a 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday due to a check to his left arm. Coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Stone is out for the night and will be listed as day-to-day. Stone has been a standout this season, contributing 60 points (21 goals, 39 assists) in 43 games. His performance earned him a spot on Team Canada's Olympic roster, where he helped secure the silver medal.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are set to welcome back Jonas Brodin, who has been out for 14 games due to a lower-body injury. He skated alongside Jared Spurgeon at the morning skate and is expected to return against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. Coach John Hynes praised Brodin's ability to move the puck and defend, emphasizing his importance to the team. Brodin, who was named to Team Sweden's Olympic roster, had surgery on January 22 and has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 42 games this season.
Forward Marcus Foligno, who has a lower-body injury, is week-to-week. He sustained the injury in a 5-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Friday. Coach Hynes assured that the injury is not season-ending.
Florida Panthers
Tomas Nosek, who missed the first 60 games of the season with a knee injury, is set to make his season debut against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. He will start as the fourth-line center and contribute to the penalty kill. Coach Paul Maurice encouraged Nosek to keep his shifts short and maintain a simple game. Nosek's return adds depth to the Panthers' lineup, and he has a history of success, with nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 59 games last season, including three assists in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Defenseman Seth Jones, who has been out since January 2 due to an upper-body injury, remains week-to-week. He participated in the morning skate but will miss his 21st game.
New York Rangers
J.T. Miller, who has an upper-body injury, was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. He played 19:23 and recorded an assist and two shots on goal in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. This injury is unrelated to the previous upper-body injury that kept him out from December 21 to January 5. Miller has 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 51 games this season.
Washington Capitals
John Carlson, who has not played since before the Olympic break due to a lower-body injury, will miss his fourth straight game against the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. He participated in the morning skate but will not play. Carlson has 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) in 55 games this season.
Colorado Avalanche
Artturi Lehkonen, who sustained an upper-body injury in the first period of a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, will miss some time. He has 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists) in 59 games this season.
Winnipeg Jets
Josh Morrissey, who has an upper-body injury, could return to the lineup by the weekend. He skated for a third straight day and joined the morning skate on Tuesday but will not play against the Chicago Blackhawks. Morrissey was placed on injured reserve retroactive to February 12. Coach Scott Arniel is optimistic about Morrissey's progress, hoping he can play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
Los Angeles Kings
Drew Doughty, who has a lower-body injury, could return as soon as Thursday when the Kings host the New York Islanders. Coach D.J. Smith suggested that Doughty might rejoin the lineup before their homestand ends against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Doughty has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and leads the Kings with an average ice time of 22:48 in 50 games.
The Kings are awaiting MRI results for forward Joel Armia, who sustained an upper-body injury against the Oilers.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Gage Goncalves and Dominic James will miss at least the next two games due to undisclosed injuries. Goncalves left early in the second period of a 6-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. He has 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 54 games. James exited the game with 2:48 left after a hit from Michael Kesselring, who received a minor penalty for cross-checking. James has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 43 games. Forward Conor Geekie was recalled from Syracuse of the American Hockey League for Tampa Bay's upcoming road trip.
