Colorado Avalanche: Colorado Avalanche forward Darren Helm skated in a regular jersey. Forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Kaut skated in no-contact jerseys.
- Peter Baugh: Avs coach Jared Bednar said that MacKinnon is “very close.” It’s possible that he plays tonight against the Maple Leafs.
- Ryan Boulding: Bednar said the Helm is progressing but they don’t have a timeline on him.
Derek Van Diest: Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl missed last night’s game.
- Mike Benton: Draisaitl had missed their last two practices and had been questionable to play.
- NHL.com: Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft wouldn’t give an update on Draisaitl: “We’re nursing some bumps and bruises right now,” Woodcroft said Thursday. ” … I think just the rigors of an NHL season lends itself to bumps and bruises.”
Montreal Canadiens: Defenseman Kaiden Guhle missed last night’s game with a lower-body injury.
Andrew Gross: The New York Islanders have placed forward Simon Holmstrom on the IR retroactive to Dec. 23rd with a lower-body injury. He’s out day-to-day.
Forward Oliver Wahlstrom was placed on the IR retroactive to Dec. 27th with a lower-body injury. He’s out indefinitely.
TSN 1200: Ottawa Senators coach DJ Smith said that defenseman Artem Zub will return to the lineup tonight.
Rob Rossi: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang missed last night’s game with a lower-body injury.
SinBin.vegas: Not skating at practice for the Vegas Golden Knights yesterday were forwards Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev and Brett Howden, and defensemen Alec Martinez and Zach Whitecloud.
- Jesse Granger: Eichel has been skating but yesterday was a scheduled day off. He’s expected to skate today. There is no timeline for when he’ll be ready to return.
- SinBin.vegas: Coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t rule out Martinez returning to the lineup tonight. Dorofeyev has been ruled out.
Jesse Granger: Golden Knights Jonathan Marchessault skated in a no-contract jersey.