NHL Buzz: Nugent-Hopkins could return for Oilers against Canucks

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

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Edmonton Oilers

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could return to the lineup for the Oilers against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The forward has missed six games since he sustained a lower-body injury in a 6-5 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 31. Edmonton also had six games postponed in that span.
"First day, full participant," Oilers coach Dave Tippett said Monday. "Will skate again tomorrow morning to make the final call. But that's the first day he's put lots of pressure on and gone through (practice) in full. If we think he's not going to take a step back tomorrow or (be) sore tomorrow, he could be a player tomorrow. We'll make that decision in the morning."
Nugent-Hopkins has scored 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 30 games.

Washington Capitals

John Carlson is playing for the Capitals against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday (NHLN, TVAS, NBCSWA, ATTSN-RM) after missing four games while in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
The defenseman skated Monday for the first time since playing against the New York Islanders on Jan. 15 and said he's unsure how he will feel during the game.
"I think you just try to do the best you can," Carlson said. "I felt good this morning, but who knows what tonight will bring? I think people know what they can and can't do out there, and I think we'll find out pretty quickly how I feel and what I need to do to be my best with that."
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov returned after serving a two-game suspension for kneeing Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers on Jan. 18. Defenseman Nick Jensen missed his third straight game with an upper-body injury, and coach Peter Laviolette said he is week to week after being reevaluated.
Forward T.J. Oshie missed his fifth straight game and remains day to day with an upper-body injury. -- Tom Gulitti

Minnesota Wild

Cam Talbot started for the Wild against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday after missing five games with a lower-body injury.
The goalie, who backed up Kaapo Kahkonen in a 4-3 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, was injured in the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic against the St. Louis Blues on Jan. 1, when he allowed six goals on 28 shots in a 6-4 loss.
"It was longer than I'd hoped for, but with these things you don't want to come back too early, they can linger so the training staff and coaching staff we all talked and thought it'd be best to wait a few more days and I'm feeling excited and ready to go," Talbot said. "I thought that it would be a week, maybe two, I didn't expect it to be three. But again, we're just being extra cautious right now. I felt I've been skating for two weeks now."
Talbot is 15-8-1 with a 3.00 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 24 games.
Minnesota is 5-0-1 since Talbot's injury with Kahkonen making the save on 207 of 221 shots (2.26 GAA, .937 save percentage) in that span.
"We're excited about Cam getting back in there tonight," coach Dean Evason said. "But we feel extremely comfortable with [Kahkonen] and how he's played the game." -- Jessi Pierce

Boston Bruins

Matt Grzelcyk has an upper-body injury and is out for the Bruins against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday (NESN, BSSC, BSSD, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
"He's in today getting treatment," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "We'll list him as day to day for now until we hear differently, but definitely out tonight."
The defenseman was injured in a 3-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday on a hit from Pierre-Luc Dubois. He returned to the game, playing a total of 13:35, and had an assist on the game-winning goal by David Pastrnak.
Grzelcyk has scored 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 36 games this season.
Defenseman Mike Reilly is playing against Anaheim after he missed three games while in NHL COVID-19 protocol.-- Amalie Benjamin

New York Rangers

Kaapo Kakko is week to week for the Rangers with an upper-body injury.
The forward skated in warmups prior to a 7-3 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday but was a late scratch.
Kakko has scored 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 37 games this season. He's been placed on injured reserve and forward Morgan Barron was recalled from the taxi squad.
The Rangers are hosting the Los Angeles Kings on Monday (MSG+, BSW+, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).

Buffalo Sabres

Casey Mittelstadt and Zemgus Girgensons will return to the lineup when the Sabres visit the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, MSG-B, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Mittelstadt has missed 15 games following surgery for an upper-body injury. The forward previously missed 21 games this season after sustaining an upper-body injury Oct. 14. He has scored one goal in four games.
"He kind of exemplifies our team," coach Don Granato said. "We need to see everybody taking the next step now because I mentioned when you don't have the depth, you have (Tage) Thompson always playing against the top D every game. Now you add Mittelstadt in there, Mittelstadt, (Dylan) Cozens, Thompson in there, it's going to make room for everybody to cash in more, and we need to see that. We need to push for that."
Girgensons has missed five games with a lower-body injury. The forward has scored 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 33 games.
Alex Tuch, who has scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in nine games with the Sabres, had a maintenance day Monday and did not practice but is expected to be in the lineup against the Senators.
Kyle Okposo returned to practice Monday wearing a no-contact jersey after missing two games with an upper-body injury. The forward will not play Tuesday but could return later in the week.
"He looked good in practice and is feeling better every day," Granato said. "I would expect him within that next game or two, so he's close."
Defenseman Will Butcher, who missed a 6-3 win Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers with an upper-body injury, practiced and could be on the cusp of returning.
"Didn't know a couple of days ago how he'd feel day to day with that injury because it's a pain tolerance," Granato said. "Obviously him being on the ice today, looked like he moved fine, which is good news. I'll find out more on him but he's I would say very close as well, if not ready to go." -- Heather Engel