Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Toronto Maple Leafs
TJ Brodie will return to the Maple Leafs lineup when they play the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday (7 pm ET; TVAS, TSN4, BSW, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The defenseman has missed the past 12 games because of an oblique injury. Toronto has gone 9-0-3 without him.
“Felt good (at morning skate),” Brodie said. “Felt good for the last couple days so hopefully that will continue tonight.
Brodie skated on a pair with Conor Timmins at the morning skate. He said getting back into a game-like mindset is the biggest challenge coming off a long layoff.
“Just the mental side of it trying to get back in the game,” Brodie said. “It’s hard to replicate that mindset in practice so definitely that and just being out there trying to make the right reads and see the game.”
Brodie has two assists in 15 games this season. — Dave McCarthy
Florida Panthers
Alexander Barkov will return to the lineup for the Panthers against the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 pm ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN360) after missing six games with an illness.
Barkov has 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 19 games this season.
The Panthers were 2-2-2 without Barkov, who last played Nov. 23, when he had a goal and two assists in a 5-2 win against the Boston Bruins.
Florida will be without forwards Patrick Hornqvist and Anton Lundelldefenseman Radko Gudasand goalie Spencer Knight because of illness.
St. Louis Blues
Forward Pavel Buchnevich (lower body) and defenseman Torey Krug (upper body) each likely will be out against the Winnipeg Jets (8 pm ET; BSMW, TSN3, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Neither played in a 7-4 win against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Krug was the extra defenseman at the morning skate Thursday and Buchnevich did not skate.
“‘Buchy’ is still not good to go,” Blues coach Craig Berube said Thursday. “Krug probably is. I think at this point, I’d like to see him get a couple practices in first and make sure. I don’t want to go with seven ‘D’ tonight and that’s kind of where I’m at on that.”
Buchnevich is third on the Blues with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 20 games; Krug has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 24 games.
Carolina Hurricanes
Sebastian Aho did not practice Thursday.
“He’s got a little lower-body injury that is bothering him so we’ll see where it goes,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of the forward. “But if he’s not able to practice tomorrow, he won’t be playing on the Island.”
The Hurricanes play at the New York Islanders on Saturday.
Aho is second on the Hurricanes with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 26 games this season.
Frederik Andersen practiced for the first time since the goalie sustained a lower-body injury Nov. 6. He has missed 14 games.
“It’s a good sign,” Brind’Amour said. “I was happy to see him out there today. Obviously still sharing a net kind of thing. That’s his first practice with us. He’s been out for a long time. Not close to playing but at least we’re taking the right steps. “
Forward Ondrej Kase was on the ice prior to practice. He has not played since the season opener Oct. 12 because of a concussion.
“We knew that was an issue,” Brind’Amour said. “Obviously it’s been kind of around him since the last few years and hopefully he can put it behind him and get back with us. He’s not practicing with us so until that happens, there’s not really much to talk about.”
Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel missed his second straight game for the Golden Knights when they lost 5-1 against the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
The center is day to day because of a lower-body injury.
“He didn’t skate today,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I talked to him, he’s feeling better. That’s a positive, but not ready to go.”
Eichel leads the Golden Knights in goals (13) and points (29) and is tied for third in assists (16).
Chicago Blackhawks
Jonathan Toews is expected to be back in the lineup when the Blackhawks play the Winnipeg Jets at United Center on Friday (8:30 pm ET; NBCSCH, TSN3, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The forward did not play in a 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday because of an illness. Forward Lukas Reichel was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League and played 13:58. He was sent back to the AHL on Wednesday.
Toews practiced with the Blackhawks on Thursday after the team took the day off Wednesday.
“He seemed better, especially after two days,” coach Luke Richardson said Thursday. “Lot better and obviously eating and getting some rest at home yesterday was key. He said he felt much better before practice, going out there.”
Toews is third on the Blackhawks with 14 points (eight goals, six assists) and leads the NHL with a 64.2 face-off winning percentage (minimum 150 face-offs) in 24 games this season. — Tracey Myers, staff writer
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