Eastern Conference Injury Updates
Mike Harrington: Buffalo Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said that it is “definitely doubtful” that defenseman Brandon Montour would be able to play in both games this weekend.
Mike Harrington: Krueger on Montour: “Today is the first practice he started to feel comfortable with all the traffic out there. He’s been doing a lot of solo figure skating … with nobody else on the ice. You add all those other bodies and suddenly it becomes a different world.”
New York Islanders: The Islanders have put Tom Kuhnhackle and Matt Martin on the IR retroactive to October 25th. Both players have lower-body injuries. The Islanders have recalled Otto Koivula.
Josh Getzoff: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin is still hoping to return on Saturday: “I feel like I’m ready to play”
Joe Smith: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and forward Patrick Maroon won’t be in the lineup on Friday. They were both put on the IR and won’t be available until next Tuesday.
Chris Johnston: Toronto Maple Leafs John Tavares was skating between Mitch Marner and Trevor Moore at practice yesterday. It’s been two weeks since he broke his finger.
Jonas Siegel: Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock on Tavares’ status: “I can’t tell you when he’s playing. I just know we’re doing everything, and he’s doing everything, to be ready when he gets his opportunity. The doctors will check that out and decide when he’s available.”
Kristen Shilton: Tavares on his recovery from his broken finger: “It’s definitely progressing. I wouldn’t say it’s exactly normal but definitely getting closer and getting better so happy with the progress.”
There are a few more hurdles that he needs to get past before he’s able to start playing again.
Kristen Shilton: Babcock didn’t have an update on defenseman Jake Muzzin. They don’t know how long he’ll be out.
Babcock won’t say if Tavares will play on Saturday or not.
