Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Washington Capitals
Forward Nicklas Backstrom joined the Capitals for their morning skate Saturday for the first time since having resurfacing surgery on his left hip June 15. Backstrom, who wore a no-contact jersey, has been skating on his own with forward Tom Wilson (torn anterior cruciate ligament in left knee) for more than three weeks.
“It was good,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “It’s part of the process where they do a lot of stuff behind this wall and then they do stuff that we don’t necessarily see on the ice and they progress and progress and that’s the next progression is to get out with our guys and start to move a little bit. Real positive to see that.”
It is unknown when Backstrom will be ready to practice with Washington. Wilson has yet to skate with the Capitals.
Forward TJ Oshiewho will miss his 11th straight game with a lower-body injury when the Capitals host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, ALT, ESPN+, SN NOW), also participated in the morning skate in a no-contact jersey. and could practice with the team Sunday.
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov was a full participant in the morning skate but will miss his seventh straight game with a lower-body injury.
“Still no timetables, but it’s nice to see them out there competing and battling a little bit,” Laviolette said of Oshie and Orlov. —Tom Gullitti
Boston Bruins
Jeremy Swayman will make his first start since Nov. 1 when the Bruins host the Chicago Blackhawks (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, NESN, NBCSCH, SN NOW). The 23-year-old goalie was activated off injured reserve Wednesday after recovering from a lower-body injury.
Swayman stopped all four shots he faced in 14:06 before exiting early in Boston’s 6-5 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 1. He backed up Linus Ullmark in a 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday after returning to the active roster.
“We consult the training staff all the time,” coach Jim Montgomery said about splitting time between the two goalies. “One thing I gotta say is the communication here… the communication at every level is incredible, top-down. It’s a well-oiled machine.”
Swayman is 2-1-0 with a 3.45 goals-against average and .878 save percentage in four games (three starts) this season. — Joseph Pohoryles
Vegas Golden Knights
Nicolas Roy is doubtful when the Golden Knights visit the Edmonton Oilers (10 pm ET; CBC, SN, CITY, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+).
The forward sustained a lower-body injury in the third period of Vegas’ 4-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. He had one assist in 15:14 of ice time but did not play after the 8:58 mark of the third period.
“I don’t believe he’s going to travel,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said Friday. “I’ll know better tomorrow if he’ll meet us. I’d put him doubtful certainly for Edmonton.”
After they play Saturday, the Golden Knights will visit the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.
Cassidy said he hadn’t decided if center Jake Leschyshyn or forward Michael Amadio would replace Roy in the lineup.
Buffalo Sabres
Eric Comrie is expected to be out for multiple weeks with a lower-body injury.
The Sabers goalie was injured Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators when the Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin knocked Ottawa forward Mathieu Joseph into Comrie at 9:43 of the second period. Comrie stayed in the game and allowed a goal 14 seconds later before leaving at 13:08.
An MRI revealed an issue that will keep Comrie out for an extended stretch.
The Sabers recalled Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from Rochester of the American Hockey League on Thursday. He was 6-3-0 with a 3.07 goals-against average and .898 save percentage in nine AHL games.
Luukkonen was 2-5-2 with a 2.74 GAA and .917 save percentage in nine NHL games last season.
“I talk a lot about confidence, and that, for sure, helps,” Luukkonen said. “I kind of get that feeling from those games that I’ve been able to do it before, play well at this level. It’s time to show it again. But in the end, last year it doesn’t matter if you don’t play well this year. So, I think it’s important to show up well again.”
Jack Quinn practiced Friday, and the forward could be back Saturday when the Sabers visit the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 pm ET; CBC, SNO, SNP, MSG-B, ESPN+). He’s missed two games with an undisclosed injury.
Zemgus Girgensons did not practice and will be reevaluated Monday. The forward left the game against Ottawa late in the second period with an unspecified injury.
Mattias Samuelsson is closer to returning after participating in a full practice Friday. The defenseman, who has missed 12 games with a lower-body injury, skated on a pair Henri Jokiharjubut coach Don Granato said Friday they won’t rush him back.
“I think he’s got to get his reps and feel good about and confident where he’s at,” Granato said. — Heather Engel
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