On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Pittsburgh Penguins: Coach Mike Sullivan said that Evgeni Malkin is working out off-ice and is making progress. He added that Kris Letang is a game-time decision tonight.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Eric Engels: The Canadiens will decide this morning if Andrei Markov will return to the lineup tonight. Greg Pateryn won’t play and Nikita Nesterov is in.
Eric Engels: Forward David Desharnais will be in the lineup.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Kristen Shilton: Both Morgan Rielly and Ben Smith practiced with the team yesterday.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty: Defenseman Brandon Carlo was on the ice practicing yesterday.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Michael Smith: Goaltender Eddie Lack is ready to return to Carolina after playing two AHL games.
On the Florida Panthers …
Harvey Fialkov: Aleksander Barkov was told right after his injury that he wouldn’t require back surgery. It was his first back injury, and he said he’s progressing every day.
Harvey Fialkov: Jonathan Huberdeau: “I want to play for them, that’s the hardest part for me right now. I feel I’m pretty close and got to work every day to be back.
Harvey Fialkov: Both Barkov and Huberdeau practiced yesterday. Huberdeau said that he’s still limping a bit.
George Richards: Don’t expect Barkov to return until next week, and Huberdeau not till March.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Goaltender Jimmy Howard practiced with the Wings yesterday and he’ll likely play in two AHL games before returning to the Wings lineup.
Defenseman Brendan Smith (knee) was also at practice yesterday.
“On Smitty and Jimmy, they’re taking steps in the right direction,” said Wings coach Jeff Blashill, adding he wanted to see how Howard responded to a full practice before determining when he plays to Grand Rapids.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith: Coach Jon Cooper said that Brayden Point hasn’t received clearance to return yet. Michael Bournival is out tonight.
Erik Erlendsson: Bournival missed Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury.
On the New York Rangers …
New York Rangers: Marc Staal, Antti Raanta and Jesper Fast practiced in regular jerseys yesterday. Hayes is still out with a lower-body injury.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: Defenseman David Savard didn’t practice yesterday due to back spasms and they will be cautious with him this week. He seems unlikely for tonight’s game.
“We have to be careful and make sure the big picture is there as far as how many games we are playing here in the toughest part of the schedule,” Tortorella said. “So we will act accordingly.”
The Blue Jackets are also without Markus Nutivaara, who is out with an undisclosed injury.
On the Washington Capitals …
Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post: Coach Barry Trotz said there is “a good chance” that John Carlson returns to the lineup tonight from his lower-body injury.
“It’s a better question for tomorrow than today,” Trotz said after Monday’s practice. “… He looked fine. He’s refreshed. He did his therapy. He did his workload. I think he’ll be fine. We’ll just see how he is tomorrow.”
If he’s not able to go tonight, he’ll likely return on Wednesday.
