On the Anaheim Ducks …
Eric Stephens: Coach Randy Carlyle said that defenseman Hampus Lindholm and his upper-body injury flew back to Anaheim after he landed with the team in Vegas. “Hopefully it’ll settle down here in the next couple of days, and he’s ready for us in the short term here. We don’t expect it to be a long-term issue.”
Already looked at how Anaheim have basically had the most injured start to a season in the past 8 years (and likely beyond that). This is how their first 27 games compares to the worst 27-game stretches at any point of a season in that timeframe: pic.twitter.com/PKMXOS9O1h
— NHLInjuryViz (@NHLInjuryViz) December 5, 2017
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Dave Vest of NHL.com: Goaltender Antti Raanta has been cleared to play and will at least be a backup for their three-game road trip.
“He’s starting to feel better,” Head Coach Rick Tocchet said after Tuesday’s practice at Gila River Arena. “We finally had a good practice with him because he hasn’t really had a practice with the team yet. We’ll get another one tomorrow, and then we’ll see for Thursday (vs. Boston).”
On the New York Rangers …
Brett Cyrgalis: Forward Mika Zibanejad (concussion) isn’t traveling with the team.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Wes Crosby of NHL.com: Defenseman Justin Schultz suffered a lower-body injury in the first period last night. He left for a bit in the first, missed part of the second period, and didn’t return for the third. Coach Mike Sullivan said Schultz would be evaluated .
On the San Jose Sharks …
NHL Player Safety: Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon was suspended for one game for his slash on Capitals Madison Bowey.
On Team Russia …
Igor Eronko: The Russian Hockey team sent a letter to Russian President Putin asking for permission to play under a neutral flag at the Olympics. Back in October Putin said it’s unacceptable.
On the Washington Capitals …
Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post: Forward T.J. Oshie is expected to miss tonight’s game against the Blackhawks. He is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Forward Andre Burakovsky is expected to return to the lineup next week. He’s missed their last 19 games with a broken thumb. Burakovsky did practice yesterday, and with Oshie’s injury, they might move up his timetable to return.
“The thumb would probably be fine with it and nothing would happen with it,” Burakovsky said. “Right now, it’s just about getting the timing back. Like I said yesterday, it’s getting the feeling for hockey again, all wall plays and just handling the puck.”