Still, the Sharks improved to 8-0-1 this season with Burns in the lineup. Burns has faced the Devils (tonight's opponent) just four times in his career, with one goal and one assist.
Nelson goes from the first line to a healthy scratch in an instant with Thomas Vanek returning from a lower-body injury and Michael Grabner getting back in the lineup. "Brock has played extremely well and the other guys have seen that. You have to make tough decisions," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said.
Burns has been scratched for the last 13 games, after taking a series of high hits that included a whack in the face from Ottawa goaltender Robyn Lehner on Oct. 12. He had four goals and four assists in his first eight games on a line with Thornton and Tomas Hertl, with seven of his eight points coming at even strength.
Burns returned to the top-line in practice yesterday which is a good sign. The Sharks will hit the ice for their morning skate shortly and we will have an update on Burns' status for tonight following the skate.
Burns has missed 13 games, but could be back tomorrow. We have been here before with Burns and this injury - it looks like he is close and then he doesn't play. I won't get anyone's hopes up, monitor his status following tomorrow's morning skate.
The Maple Leafs have had a patchwork roster with Kadri, Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland out, but Kadri's return will stabilize their top-6. The Leafs went 2-1-0 without Kadri. He has five goals and 14 points in 18 games and a spot on the first line should only help him produce even more.
Wilson also said that there is a chance that Burns plays on Thursday, but that will be up to the medical staff. Burns was originally expected to miss only a few days with a mouth injury, but it has cost him 13 games. Consider him questionable for Thursday.
This is a tough break for the Maple Leafs who lose yet another centre. They are already without Tyler Bozak (hamstring) and Dave Bolland (ankle). He is not eligible to play until next Thursday vs. Nashville.
It sounds like Burns has had a setback in his recovery. He had shed the non-contact jersey, but putting it back on today is not a good sign. "There’s days where I think he’s really close, and there’s other days when you want to do some work with him and he doesn’t seem able to do it,” head coach Todd McLellan said.
Kadri was also assessed a match penalty last night for a hit on Mikael Granlund, but the NHL viewed it primarily as a full body hit. Head was not primary point of contact. The penalty on ice fit the crime. We will update if a suspension is handed down.
Burns will miss his 10th straight game, but is progressing towards a return. It continues to be a day-to-day situation, monitor his status for Thursday's game.
Burns continues to progress towards a return, but it does not appear that it will be tomorrow. James Neal randomly played on Saturday though so don't completely rule him out yet. His next opportunity to play would be Thursday versus Vancouver.
Burns will miss his ninth straight contest tonight. He traveled with the team to Winnipeg, but will not play. Monitor his status prior to Tuesday's game vs. Calgary.
Burns continues to practice, but has yet to shed the "don't hit me jersey". There is still no timetable for Burns return, but until he gets rid of that no-contact jersey he should be considered out. Monitor his status prior to Sunday's contest but it does not look promising.
Burns will miss his eighth straight game since being injured in a collision on October 19. He continues to practice with the Sharks but is not ready to return to the lineup. He will likely return at some point during the Sharks upcoming road trip that starts on Sunday in Winnipeg.
This is a great sign for the Sharks and Burns fantasy owners. Burns will not play tonight, but is nearing a return and should be considered questionable for Thursday.
The Sharks have been vague when it comes to the details of Burns’ injury. “Getting closer, from what I’ve been told,” Todd McLellan said on Monday. “He’s welcome back any time, obviously. We’d love to have him back with our team. From my understanding, he’s getting closer.” Could Burns return to practice this week? "I don’t have that. He and the trainers and the doctors know when that will happen,” McLellan said.
Burns was wearing pads for the first time today, but he continues to skate alone and not with the Sharks. The fact that he didn't skate with his teammates today suggests he won't be in the lineup tomorrow or this week. If you are in a weekly league I think it would be wise to keep Burns on the bench again this week.
Burns will miss his sixth straight game tonight. He continues to skate on his own, but has not joined his teammates. Consider him questionable for Tuesday.
The details on Burns’ injury are still vague, but according to general manager Doug Wilson, he is not expected to be out long term.
