Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ondrej Palat could return to the lineup when the Lightning visit the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET; BSW, BSSUN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The forward has missed two games with a lower-body injury. He is tied with Brayden Point for second on the Lightning with 15 goals in 38 games, behind Steven Stamkos (18), and is fourth on the team with 30 points.
The Lightning could be without defenseman Erik Cernak and Jan Rutta after each did not take part in practice Monday. Cernak missed a 3-1 win against the Dalls Stars on Saturday wirh a lower-body injury.
Defenseman Zach Bogosian is expected to be out 2-3 weeks with a lower-body injury the defenseman sustained in the win against Dallas.
“Our poor [defensemen] are taking a beating,” coach Jon Cooper said. “I don’t know what’s up. I guess it’s just probably a little unfortunate side of things. Hopefully we can get this out of us soon. A couple of weeks [for Bogosian] isn’t too bad.”
Cernak, Rutta and Bogosian play on the right side for the Lightning. Cooper said defenseman Mikhail Sergachev may have to move from the left side to the right against the Kings.
“He has the ability to do it and do it quite well,” Cooper said. “It is a luxury to have guys that can swing over there and ‘Sergy’ is definitely one of them.” — Corey Long
Dallas Stars
Denis Gurianov and Braden Holtby were removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol Monday and could be in the lineup when the Stars host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday (8:30 p.m. ET; BSSW, TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Gurianov missed three games in protocol. The forward has scored 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 31 games.
Holtby last played Jan. 9. He is 6-8-1 with a 2.56 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 17 games.
Edmonton Oilers
Stuart Skinner was placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol Monday.
The goalie is 4-6-0 with a 2.93 goals-against average and .907 save percentage in 11 games. He made 20 saves in the Oilers’ 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
The Oilers are also without goalie Mike Smith, who is out 1-2 weeks with a partially torn tendon in his thumb.
Goalie Mikko Koskinen is expected to start for Edmonton when it next plays at home against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Its game against the Chicago Blackhawks scheduled for Tuesday was postponed.