- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins David Krejci was back skating with teammates yesterday at practice. Krejci had torn his MCL on Feb. 20th and was given a four to six week recovery window. He’ll wear a knee brace when he returns.
“I’m just taking it day-by-day. I’ve got a good week , and we’ve been going at it pretty hard,” said Krejci. “So it’s just another step forward today. I don’t really have a timeline. Whenever it feels 100-percent then I’ll be back.
“I feel pretty comfortable that I’ll be back pretty soon, and I’ll be able to play a bunch of games. So that should be enough to get me ready for the playoffs.”
Krejci is getting close to being cleared for contact, which could happen today.
“He’s progressing well,” said Claude Julien. “I would think the earliest would probably be the weekend. He’ll have some games in. It all depends on how he comes out of these next few days here.”
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins Brett Connolly (broken finger) skated yesterday for 20 minutes, but he’s still expected to return at the end of the regular season.
- Adam Vingan of The Tennessean: Predators James Neal missed his third consecutive game last night with his upper-body injury. He is still day-to-day according to head coach Peter Laviolette.
- Andrew Gross: The Rangers have announced that Henrik Lundqvist has received clearance to resume practicing with the team.
- Arthur Staple: Islanders Jaroslav Halak is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
- Chip Alexander: Hurricanes Jack Hillen is a feeling a little better from his concussion, and they hope to have him back before the end of the season.
- Edmonton Oilers: Matt Fraser suffered a concussion from the Nazem Kadri hit: coach Todd Nelson, “We’re going to follow the protocol… He’s doing well.”
- Curtis Zupka: Kings Alec Martinez has been skating with the team. They likely won’t put him back in against the Ducks. They play the Canucks on Saturday.
- Eric Stephens: Ducks Sami Vatanen (leg) said that he’s ready to go, but head coach Bruce Boudreau said he may not look to disturb his current top six when they play the Kings.
- Ansar Khan: Red Wings Darren Helm said that if he doesn’t suffer a set back, he’ll be ready for Thursday’s game against the Panthers.
- Renaud Lavoie: Canadiens Torrey Mitchell will be out for about two weeks with a right arm injury. Will have an appointment with doctors when they return to Montreal.
- Shawn Mitchell: Blue Jackets Artem Anisimov is a little “banged up” and was given yesterday off. He’ll travel with the team.
- Shawn Mitchell: Blue Jackets Brandon Dubinsky is a little “banged up” and left yesterday’s practice early. He’s questionable for tonight.