NHL Buzz: Drouin returns for Canadiens

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

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Montreal Canadiens

Jonathan Drouin returned to the lineup when the Canadiens played the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday (MSG, TSN2, RDS, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The forward missed six games after he was struck in the head by a shot from Montreal defenseman Brett Kulak in the first period of a 3-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 2.
"The last couple of days I've been way better," Drouin said Tuesday. "I got that shot right on the temple, so I felt pressure on my head when I put my helmet on. Headaches. There was no concussion. I passed my concussion test that night. It was just time to get the swelling down. When I put my helmet on it was bothering me and it was throbbing on that side. I just feel ready to go now, way better."
Drouin said he skated in Boston on Sunday morning and felt it was the turning point for him.
"But that morning I didn't feel that great with my head, but I still felt pretty good on the ice," Drouin said. "This morning I felt good, so I'm ready to go."
Drouin scored seven points (two goals, five assists) in 11 games. The Canadiens were 1-3-2 without him. -- Dan Rosen

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Philadelphia Flyers

Ryan Ellis is week to week after he sustained a lower-body injury in a 5-2 loss at the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said Tuesday he's not sure if the defenseman will need surgery.
"We're in the evaluation process here," Vigneault said. "He's seeing the doctor today and he's seeing one tomorrow. So until we get some results off their findings, I won't have anything for you for a couple of days."
The defenseman had an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in 18:45 after missing nine games with a lower-body injury.
Vigneault said he didn't think Ellis came back from that injury too soon.
"He was cleared by our medical staff, he wanted to play, and these are things that happen sometimes," Vigneault said. "It's unfortunate. But now we have to deal with it and we'll see what happens." -- Adam Kimelman

St. Louis Blues

Oskar Sundqvist made his season debut against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday (BSMW, BSAZ, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The forward was out eight months with a torn ACL in his left knee. Sundqvist, who also had surgeries this summer on each of his hip, was iinjured March 9, 2021 against the San Jose Sharks following a collision with teammate Kyle Clifford; he had surgery on his knee April 6.
"It's been a long journey," Sundqvist said. "Not always fun every day, but I've always tried to have the mindset that I have to do it obviously and try to stay positive throughout the whole process. Obviously, getting the season started and training with the guys has been helping me a lot to stay positive and be close to the team helps."
Sundqvist scored nine points (four goals, five assists) in 28 games last season.
"It's been a long haul for him and us obviously but more on him," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "It's tough for him, but he did a good job. He worked extremely hard. It's a lot of work put in, the injuries he had. It wasn't just one, it was two. It's two major operations, but he's glad and we're glad he's back."
Scott Perunovich was recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League on Monday and is expected to make his NHL debut. The 23-year-old defenseman won the 2020 Hobey Baker Award, given to the player voted best in NCAA men's ice hockey, and helped University of Minnesota Duluth win consecutive NCAA championships in 2018 and 2019. -- Lou Korac

New Jersey Devils

Mackenzie Blackwood practiced Tuesday and will be available when the Devils play at the Florida Panthers on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; BSFL, MSG+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The goalie was injured in the third period of a 4-3 shootout loss at the New York Rangers on Sunday when Kaapo Kakko knocked into him while scoring a goal at 6:29 of the third period. Blackwood entered into concussion protocol at 8:38 after allowing three goals on 33 shots.
"I've never had that happen to me before," Blackwood said of being placed in concussion protocol during a game. "My head was OK but my neck was pretty sore. My neck kind of jarred and that was the limiting factor.
"[My neck] is a little stiff now, but it's fine."
The Devils were scheduled to host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, but Ottawa has had at least three games postponed because it has 10 players in NHL COVID-19 protocol. The NHL will announce a rescheduled date. -- Mike G. Morreale