On the Buffalo Sabres …
Brian Hedger of NHL.com: Forward Ryan O’Reilly practiced yesterday for the first time since having an appendectomy on Christmas day. They are hopeful he can return tonight.
“He felt really good on the ice, has no ill side effects, has no feeling of the surgery that took place the morning of , so other than getting back on the ice after being off for seven days, he felt good out there,” Bylsma said. “Hopefully that’s a good indication we’ll maybe see him .”
On the New York Rangers …
Steve Zipay of Newsday: Defenseman Marc Staal missed last night’s game and will be out Saturday with an upper-body injury. Coach Alain Vigneault gave no other details.
Pavel Buchnevich has missed the past 26 games and could be sent on a conditioning stint when he’s ready to return.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty: Forward David Backes has been cleared for contact and he could be in the lineup tonight.
Kevin Paul Dupont: Backes suffered a concussion on December 29th.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan: Defenseman Brendan Smith didn’t return for the third period last night after suffering an apparent right knee injury. Back on November 26th, he sprained his MCL in his right knee.
On the Ottawa Senators …
Bruce Garrioch: GM Pierre Dorion said they don’t want to put a date on when Clarke MacArthur could return to the lineup.
Bruce Garrioch: Dorion said that Zach Smith could play on the weekend. If he can’t go then, he will play against the Penguins next week.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Erik Erlendsson: Ryan Callahan had a scheduled day off yesterday, but will be back on the ice today. Cedric Paquette is still day-to-day, but could be in the lineup tonight.
On the Florida Panthers …
George Richards: Forward Seth Griffith is out with a concussion from a hit by Nikolaj Ehlers.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Montreal Canadiens: Forward Brendan Gallagher will be returning to Montreal to meet with team doctors, while the team heads to Toronto.
Brendan Gallagher was hit by a slap shot from teammate Shea Weber.
here is a clear replay of the puck hitting Gallagher, s/t to @StarsOfTheNHL (cc @Ferrariuniverse @MitchyGallo) pic.twitter.com/SIaDydGfnu
— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 5, 2017
Sportsnet showed this Gallagher picture. Seems to be roughly the same spot as the injury last year, but it’s hard to tell. pic.twitter.com/K4AguDspLw
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 5, 2017
Canadiens forward Paul Byron also left last night’s game after a hit from Stars forward Patrick Sharp.
Byron injury pic.twitter.com/owGG8lGzOv
— Marc Dumont (@MarcPDumont) January 5, 2017