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
Matt Murray will start when the Maple Leafs visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday (7 pm ET; TVAS, ATTSN-PT, TSN4, ESPN+).
The 28-year old goalie was a full participant for a third consecutive practice Monday. He sustained an adductor injury during the morning skate Oct. 15.
“Matt Murray, that’s the plan that he is preparing for that,” coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I haven’t spoken to anyone since practice ended, but based on what I observed in practice, he very much looks ready to go.”
Murray has played one game for the Maple Leafs this season, a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 12. He is 0-1-0 with a 4.05 goals-against average and .826 save percentage after being traded to Toronto by the Ottawa Senators on July 11.
“The progress has been really good,” Murray said. “(The medical staff) does a heck of a job here. We’re doing things the right way, so I’m happy with the progress.”
Goalie Ilya Samsonov, who sustained a knee injury in a 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins on Nov. 5, was on the ice for the full practice but shared a net with Erik Kallgrenwho will back up Murray against the Penguins.
“I haven’t had an update since we left practice but the amount of work he did today tells me he is feeling really good,” Keefe said. “I know they were going to start off the day feeling it out and making sure they’re not progressing too quickly but we expect him to take a step today from what he has been doing on the ice and it looks like he did that and then some.” — Dave McCarthy
Buffalo Sabres
Henri Jokiharju has been cleared to return and could be back in the lineup Tuesday when the Sabers host the Vancouver Canucks (7 pm ET; MSG-B, SNP, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The defenseman was injured Oct. 20 against the Calgary Flames when a puck hit him in the face.
“I’ve been waiting for it for a couple of long weeks so it’s nice,” he said.
Jokiharju rejoined the Sabers for practice Nov. 9 in a no-contact jersey and was back in a regular practice jersey at the morning skate Saturday. On Monday, he was paired with defenseman Jacob Bryson.
“You’re adding a guy that can play 25 minutes,” coach Don Granato said. “That is a lot of hockey. To have a guy that can give you more stability for 25 minutes is significant. You could look at our margin of defeat and error in the last few nights, could simply be put in that context. In that context, yes, adding Jokiharju is huge.”
If Jokiharju doesn’t return Tuesday, he could be back Wednesday when the Sabers visit the Senators.
“How long will it take him to get back to his level of proficiency, we don’t know that,” Granato said. “He hasn’t had a lot of practice, and this is probably a supplement to his practice, getting back in there to get back up to his form. I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on him, obviously, but he’s a talented guy and that’ll be a big help getting him back.”
Defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who has been out since sustaining a lower-body injury Oct. 22, has been skating on his own and could be back practicing with the team this week.
Jack Quinn did not practice Monday and is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury. The forward is not expected to play this week. With Quinn and captain Kyle Okposo (lower body) out at least the next two games, Granato said they will be recalling at least one forward from Rochester of the American Hockey League. — Heather Engel
Ottawa Senators
Thomas Chabot is out at least one week with a concussion, Senators coach DJ Smith said Sunday.
The defenseman left a 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday 26 seconds into the third period after being hit into the boards from behind by the Flyers forward. Travis Konecny. His goal at 14:28 of the first period was his third of the season.
Smith said Artem Zub (upper body) is behind schedule and likely won’t return until the end of the week. The defenseman has been sidelined since Oct. 27.
Los Angeles Kings
Brendan Lemieux was placed on injured reserve by the Kings with a lower-body injury.
The forward did not return after he was injured delivering a check to the Detroit Red Wings forward Adam Erne at 11:10 of the second period of a 4-3 win Saturday.
“I think he’s probably going to be out for a little while, but I can’t give you any more than that,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said after the game.
Forward Lias Andersson and defenseman Jacob Moverare were recalled from Ontario of the American Hockey League. Defenseman Brandt Clarke was assigned to the Reign for conditioning.
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