Boston Bruins star forward David Pastrnak is dealing with an upper body injury.
Pastrnak missed his team’s training on Monday to undergo treatment.
However, Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco is hopeful of seeing “Pasta” in uniform on Tuesday during the game against the Winnipeg Jets.
The Bruins begin a five-game trip out West with a first stop in Winnipeg on Tuesday. They will then face the Seattle Kraken, the Vancouver Canucks, the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. Sacco said the team was not going to recall for tomorrow’s game, reiterating his confidence in Pastrnak’s presence.
Pastrnak, 28, made his last appearance in the Bruins’ 4-3 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, where he recorded an assist in 23:57 of playing time.
The Czech winger has scored nine goals and collected 27 points in 29 games this season
Ovi on the way home
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin skated for about 20 minutes before his team’s practice.
Ovechkin, 39, missed the team’s last nine games after suffering a fractured fibula on Nov. 18. He was initially given a deadline of four to six weeks for his return.
The winger scored 15 goals and had 25 points in 18 games before getting injured. He is 26 goals behind Wayne Gretzky for the top scorer in NHL history.
Washington sits in first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 19-6-2 record and is 6-2-1 in Ovechkin’s absence.
Forward Sonny Milano also skated before practice in a non-contact jersey.
Milano, 28, missed the team’s last 15 games with an upper-body injury and has played in just three games this season.
Forward Tom Wilson missed practice after taking a puck to the face during Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Wilson, 30, was examined by doctors on Monday and it is hoped the injury is without structural damage.
The winger briefly left Saturday’s game, but was able to return. He then scored two goals in 16:15 of ice time.
Wilson has 11 goals and 22 goals in 27 games this season.
Max Domi and Jake McCabe practice
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi and defenseman Jake McCabe both participated in the team’s practice this morning.
Domi, 29, has missed the team’s last eight games with a lower-body injury.
The 5’10” center has six assists in 19 games this season.
McCabe, 31, missed the team’s last four games after taking a puck to the face during the Maple Leafs’ 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 30.
He has five assists in 23 games this season averaging 21:20 of ice time.
Chibrikov joins the Jets
The Jets recalled forward Nikita Chibrikov from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and assigned forward Brad Lambert to the Moose.
Chibrikov, 21, was drafted 50th overall by the Jets in 2021 and has five goals and 13 points in 19 AHL games this season.
Lambert appeared in four games with the Jets and recorded no points.
The 6’1″ center was drafted 30th overall by the Jets in 2022 and has three goals and 11 points in 16 AHL games this season.
David Jiricek didn’t convince the Wild either
The Minnesota Wild have traded defenseman David Jiricek to the AHL’s Iowa Wild, ten days after acquiring him from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jiricek, 21, was acquired from the Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Daemon Hunt and four draft picks on November 30.
The 6’4″ defenseman was unhappy that the Blue Jackets didn’t give him a regular spot in the lineup and he clearly expressed his disappointment.
This season, Jiricek had just one assist in six games with the Blue Jackets before being traded to the Wild, with whom he has yet to appear in a game.
Drafted sixth overall by the Blue Jackets in 2022, Jiricek has one goal and 11 points in 53 career games.
Minnesota also recalled defenseman Cameron Crotty from Iowa.
Crotty, 25, had five assists in 19 games for Iowa this season. The defenseman joined the Wild on a two-way, one-year contract during the off-season.
Minnesota is tied for the best record in the NHL with a 17-5-4 record this season.
Shesterkin takes his place
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will be in net when the team takes on the Chicago Blackhawks, according to head coach Peter Laviolette.
Shesterkin was unavailable during Sunday’s 7-5 loss to Seattle to be with his wife, who gave birth to the couple’s second child.
The 28-year-old guard finalized an eight-year contract extension worth $92 million on Sunday.
Shesterkin is 9-9-1 this season with a .908 save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average.
The Rangers also traded goaltender Dylan Garand to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL.
On the ice, but without contact for Tomasino
Philip Tomasino attended Pittsburgh Penguins practice wearing a non-contact jersey.
Tomasino, 23, missed Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sunday’s practice with an upper-body injury.
The 6-foot center was acquired from the Nashville Predators on November 26 in exchange for a draft pick and has three goals and four points since his arrival.
Dahlin could play this weekend
Buffalo Sabers captain Rasmus Dahlin skated and could be ready to return over the weekend, according to head coach Lindy Ruff.
Dahlin, 24, missed the team’s last two games with back spasms.
The 6’3″ defenseman has six goals and 19 points in 25 games this season.
Forward Jordan Greenway could return to the lineup when his team faces the Detroit Red Wings, according to Ruff.
Greenway, 27, missed the team’s last ten games due to an undisclosed injury whose condition was being evaluated on a weekly basis.
The 6’6″ winger has three goals and six points in 16 games this season.
A 4th start in a row for Husso
Goaltender Ville Husso will make his fourth straight start when the Red Wings face the Sabres, head coach Derek Lalonde said.
Husso, 29, is still looking for his first win of the season after going 0-4-2 to start the year.
Allen injured
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen is being treated for an undisclosed injury and his availability is questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, head coach Sheldon Keefe said.
Jacob Markstrom should get the start against the Maple Leafs. He is 13-6-1 with a .907 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average.
Allen allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Devils’ 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.
The 6’2″ goaltender has a 5-4-1 record with a .903 save percentage and a 2.74 goals-against average.
Jones danced la LAH
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Caleb Jones has been assigned to the AHL’s Ontario Reign.
Jones, 27, has played five games with the Kings this season without recording a point.
The defenseman signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Kings this offseason.
