On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Evgeni Malkin is back skating, but it doesn’t mean he’s close to returning. He’s been out since March 11th. He was on the ice before the team practiced. It’s believed that he injured something between his elbow and hand.
“There’s no change ,” he said. “It’s just part of the process he’s going through.
“Obviously, we keep him on the ice to try to keep him in his best skating shape, and physical conditioning is important for his return.”
His expected return date was around the start of the second round.
Dave Molinari: Coach Mike Sullivan said that Bryan Rust is day-to-day and won’t play tonight.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Tim Campbell of the Winnipeg Free Press: Center Bryan Little skated with the team at their morning skate in a regular jersey. He recently skated with the team in a non-contact jersey. He suffered a compression fracture on Febrary 18th and was listed as done for the season.
“It just means I’ve been cleared for some contact,” a winded Little said after his own post-practice conditioning skate. “It’s pretty exciting. It’s at a point now where everyone’s pretty safe and I feel pretty comfortable that we can do that.
“We’re not going to take any chances at this point of the year, so that gives you an indication how good it’s feeling.”
Little does hope to get into one game this season, and it might be a possibility.
“It’s going to be the doctor’s call,” Jets head coach Paul Maurice said of Little. “The line on that one is at 100 per cent and not short (of that). We want him to build the strength in a hockey environment to help the healing process and a reconditioning process.”
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Amy Moritz: Goaltender Robin Lehner will be out the remainder of the season after having successful surgery on his right ankle.
On the Calgary Flames …
Wes Gilbertson: Johnny Gaudreau missed last night’s game and is questionable for tonight. Michael Frolik is out for the remainder of their road trip.
Pat Steinberg: Coach Bob Hartley said that Gaudreau could be back today. Jyrki Jokipakka is likely back tonight.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty: Defenseman John-Michael Liles returned to practice yesterday and his hoping to get back into the lineup against the Blues and Blackhawks.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Jon Rosen: Defenseman Matt Greene said his participation in practice was a “favor” from the staff. Greene added “I’m just trying to get into shape, & I’m a long ways off of playing.”
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: Coach Dave Tippett said that Shane Doan should be able to play tonight.
On the Florida Panthers …
George Richards: Coach Gerald Gallant said that Vincent Trocheck will be out for the remainder of the regular season.
Harvey Fialkov: Source saying Trocheck is out for three weeks.
Harvey Fialkov: Gallant said that Derek MacKenzie and Erik Gudbranson are not definite for tonight.
George Richards: Very doubtful that David Bolland returns.
On the Ottawa Senators …
Elliotte Friedman: Mark Stone will stay in Winnipeg (he’s from Winnipeg) as the rest of the team will travel to Minnesota. They said again that it is not a head injury.
Mark Stone will not return due to a “chest injury” after this hit from Dustin Byfuglien:https://t.co/ISWyOFzhoL pic.twitter.com/0CHrWmN3bp
— SB Nation NHL (@SBNationNHL) March 31, 2016