Kuznetsov was not at practice on Monday due to personal reasons, and his status for Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens remains up in the air. In recent games, Kuznetsov has centred the Capitals' second line with Anthony Mantha and Max Pacioretty. The 31-year-old Kuznetsov is pacing for the worst offensive output of his career (0.40 PTS / G) but has three points (0G / 3A) in his last three games.
Sgarbossa has earned his first call-up of the season to Washington after posting an impressive seven goals and 43 points in 44 games with Hershey (AHL) prior to the All-Star break. The 31-year-old veteran center last appeared in the NHL in 2021-22 and had two goals, four points, and 11 SOG in 10 games played.
Pacioretty exited the Capitals' last game before the All-Star break with a lower-body injury, playing only 10:25 time-on-ice. The injury is unrelated to the Achilles injury responsible for him missing most of the last two seasons. As such, his return to the lineup appears imminent after returning to practice on Monday. Before his injury, Pacioretty registered four points (0G / 4A) in his last five games.
Fleury has been out of the lineup since a collision with Florida's William Lockwood on January 19th. The veteran netminder has missed four games and is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Before his injury, Fleury was amid one of his best runs of the season, saving 45 of 47 shots (.957 SV%) across three appearances.
Lucchini was reassigned to Iowa (AHL) in correspondence to the impending All-Star break last week but will return to Minnesota. Lucchini has played four straight games for Minnesota and has been held without a point in eight contests this season.
The Edmonton Oilers returned from All-Star break Sunday and were missing forward Evander Kane from Practice due to illness. The 32-year-old left-winger is considered day-to-day with Edmonton taking on Vegas on the road on Tuesday. Despite what may seem like a down year with 15 goals, 29 points, and 54 PIMs in 44 games played; Kane has set a new career high in games played in a campaign with Edmonton, surpassing his previous high of 43 from two seasons ago.
Poitras missed the Bruins' previous game before the All-Star break due to an undisclosed injury but was a full participant in practice Sunday and is expected to be ready to suit up when Boston takes on Calgary on Tuesday. The 19-year-old rookie left the Bruins briefly in December to attend this year's World Jr Tournament and has made a solid impact in his rookie season with five goals and 15 points in 33 games played.
Forbort missed Boston's previous game as he dealt with an undisclosed injury but has used the break to heal up and was a full participant in Boston's practice Sunday. With the Bruins returning to action Tuesday vs. Calgary, Forbort should find himself ready to go as he looks to pick up his first goal of the campaign despite having four assists, 15 SOG, and a +12 plus/minus in 24 games played.
DeBrusk missed one game prior to the All-Star break due to an undisclosed injury but was a full participant Sunday in Boston's practice and looks ready to return Tuesday vs. Calgary. The 27-year-old had been picking up his game as of late with five points (3G/2A) in his last five games before the injury but is still having a down year as a whole with only 12 goals and 25 points in 47 games total.
Scheifele has missed the Jets' previous six games as he dealt with a lower-body injury but will return to Winnipeg's lineup on Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old star centre will make a much-welcomed return as he currently leads the Jets in points with 14 goals and 41 points in 41 games played before his injury.
Karlsson missed all but one game in January (12 total) due to a lower-body injury but was a full participant in practice Sunday. The 31-year-old is having his best season in Vegas since his historical inaugural campaign with the team in 2017-18 as he has 15 goals, 32 points, 93 SOG, and a +10 plus/minus in 38 games before his injury.
Dorofeyev missed the Golden Knight's previous game before the All-Star break and is expected to return to Vegas' practice on Monday but will not be ready to return on Tuesday. The 23-year-old left-winger surpassed his previous career high in games played and points in a season as he's racked up seven goals, 14 points, 63 SOG, and a +5 plus/minus thus far in 29 games played.
Woll has not played since December 7th due to an ankle injury but has great news on Monday as he is expected to rejoin the Maple Leafs practice. The 25-year-old will not be able to return yet this week but is taking a massive step forward in his recovery by returning to the ice. He will be looking to build off his strong start to the season when he does return and add on to his 8-5-1 record, 2.80 GAA, and .916 SV%.
Puljujarvi was signed to a two-year, $1.6 million ($800,000 AAV) contract Sunday and will be a game-time decision Tuesday to make his season debut vs. Winnipeg. The 25-year-old had been playing on a PTO for Pittsburgh's AHL team after undergoing a double hip surgery in the off-season and excelled in his brief appearances as he had four goals and nine points in 13 total games played.
Ludvig has not played since December 31st, 2023 due to an upper-body injury but looks just about ready to return as he is a game-time decision on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg. The 23-year-old was originally claimed off waivers by the Penguins to begin the season and has an assist, 12 SOG, 23 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus in 19 games before the ailment.
Smith has missed the Penguins' previous six games due to an upper-body injury but will be a game-time decision on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg as he looks ready to return. The 32-year-old right-winger is in his first season with Pittsburgh after being acquired from Vegas for a 2024 third-round pick in the offseason. He is having a down year by his personal standards having only collected 20 points (8G/12A) in his first 40 games.
Fasching returned from the All-Star break with some unfortunate news as the 28-year-old is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and is not expected to suit up on Monday vs. Toronto. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.
Hatakka was returned to Utica (AHL) for the All-Star break to get a few games under his belt but was returned to New Jersey on Monday and is expected to rejoin the team. The 23-year-old defenseman was a part of the Timo Meier deal on February 26th, 2023, and made his Devils' debut on January 22nd, 2024. He ahs an assist and a +5 plus/minus in three games thus far this season.
