Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Vancouver Canucks
Curtis Lazar and Vasily Podkolzin could play against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena on Friday (10 pm ET; SNP, BSW, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Lazar has missed 10 games because of an undisclosed injury, but the forward practiced Thursday. He has one goal in seven games.
“I can take contact,” said Lazar. “I feel good. I think we’ve checked off all the boxes, so it’s in the coach’s hands now. I want to play. It’s been a while, so I’m ready to go.”
Podkolzin missed the Canucks’ 5-4 win at the Buffalo Sabers on Tuesday because of a facial injury sustained in a fight with Boston Bruins forward AJ Greer during a game Sunday. The rookie forward practiced Thursday wearing a full face shield to protect stitches above his right eye.
“I hate [the full shield], but it’s needed for I hope just one game and that’s it,” Podkolzin said. “Everything is good. I’m lucky that I didn’t get an injury, just a couple of stitches and that’s it.” — Kevin Woodley
St. Louis Blues
Colton Parayko will be a game-time decision against the Washington Capitals (8 pm ET; BSMW, NBCSWA, ESPN+, SN NOW) because of an undisclosed injury.
The defenseman did not play in the Blues’ 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, and St. Louis did not have a morning skate Thursday.
Parayko was last on the ice during the Blues’ 3-2 win at the Colorado Avalanche on Monday when he played a St. Louis-high 24:23. The Blues did not practice Tuesday.
Without Parayko on Wednesday, defenseman Tyler Tucker made his NHL debut, playing 11:05.
Boston Bruins
Jeremy Swayman will be available against the Philadelphia Flyers (7 pm ET; SN1, SNE, SNP, NESN, NBCSP, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The goalie was activated from injured reserve Wednesday and is expected to back up Linus Ullmark.
Swayman practiced Tuesday, ahead of schedule in his return from a lower-body injury sustained in a collision with a teammate. Patrice Bergeron against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 1. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said Swayman would not need a rehab start in the American Hockey League.
Swayman is 2-1-0 with a 3.45 GAA and .878 save percentage in four games (three starts). He said Tuesday his goal was to get back on the ice as soon as possible.
“Really good, really excited to be back with these guys,” Swayman said. “I have complete trust with the medical staff here. It all started in Pittsburgh actually, with their medical staff treating me as their own. Really got me in the right direction.
“I’ve never been carried off the ice before and never want to again. I was feeling it out right when I got off the ice. Being able to put weight on it was definitely a positive. … I was really, really fortunate to be in the position I am.” — Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
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