As the NHL season progresses, teams continue to battle not only on the ice but also with a fluctuating injury list. Here’s a comprehensive look at the latest injury developments affecting several prominent teams, including player returns and new concerns.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins welcomed defenseman Mason Lohrei back to their lineup. Lohrei had been sidelined for the past four games due to an upper-body injury, and his return is a boost for the Bruins’ blue line.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes faced their recent game without two key forwards, Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, both of whom were out with undisclosed injuries. Their status for upcoming games remains to be seen as the team monitors their conditions.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are closely monitoring the health of several players. Defenseman Cale Makar and forward Nic Roy were both absent from weekend play and are expected to be re-evaluated before Tuesday’s game, indicating potential uncertainty for their availability. Additionally, forward Valeri Nichushkin missed a recent game with an upper-body injury. Coach Jared Bednar described Nichushkin’s status as day-to-day, stating, “He’s probably a possibility even for Tuesday. We’ll just see how he feels the next couple days. Just that time of year. You get some little bumps and bruises. Everybody has them, but sometimes there’s something a little bit more significant. I don’t want to be playing guys hurt if it can get worse. So, you got to be careful on some of them. That’s what we did today with Val.” This cautious approach suggests the team is prioritizing player long-term health as the season wears on.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers saw defenseman Dmitry Kulikov return to action after missing two games. Kulikov had been recovering from a broken nose, and his presence back on the ice provides a boost for the Panthers.
Minnesota Wild
For the Minnesota Wild, defenseman Zach Bogosian’s lower-body injury is a significant concern. Coach John Hynes confirmed that Bogosian’s injury was re-evaluated, and it’s currently too early to determine if he will be able to participate in any remaining regular-season games. He remains listed as day-to-day, with his future availability uncertain.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are traveling without defenseman Tony DeAngelo, who is nursing a lower-body injury. His absence from the road trip suggests he will be out for the immediate future as he recovers.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins experienced an unexpected change in their goaltending plans. Stuart Skinner, who was slated to start a recent game, sustained an injury after taking a puck near his left eye during Saturday’s practice. As a result, Sergei Murashov was called up. If Skinner’s injury requires him to miss an extended period, Murashov is expected to remain with the team to back up Arturs Silovs, providing necessary depth in net.
