NHL Buzz: Eichel playing for Golden Knights against Flyers

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

Vegas Golden Knights

Jack Eichel returned against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday after the forward missed two games because of lower-body injury.
Eichel leads the Golden Knights in points (29), goals (13) and is third in assists (16). -- Paul Delos Santos

Colorado Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin returned to the lineup against the New York Rangers.
Nichushkin has missed 17 games since having ankle surgery in early November. He was expected to be out one month.
Nichushkin last played in a 3-2 shootout loss at the New York Rangers on Oct. 25. At the time, he led the NHL with seven goals and was tied for the League lead with 12 points in seven games.
Forward Artturi Lehkonen was a full participant at morning skate but missed his third straight game because of a head injury.
Lehkonen is tied with Nichushkin for third on the Avalanche in goals (seven) and is fourth with 18 points in 22 games.
"He's coming along good," Bednar said. "Making good progress, so hopefully he's in lineup soon.
"He's following a protocol to return, so should be close. Getting better. Doesn't seem to have any issues right now."
The Avalanche recalled defenseman Brad Hunt from Colorado of the American Hockey League and will play defenseman Jacob MacDonald at forward Friday. -- Ryan Boulding

Washington Capitals

Tom Wilson participated in the Capitals morning skate prior to their 4-1 win against the Seattle Kraken on Friday.
It was the first time the forward, who was wearing a non-contact jersey, practiced since having surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee May 24.
Forward Nicklas Backstrom, who is recovering from resurfacing surgery on his left hip June 17, also skated in a non-contact jersey.
Backstrom had skated with the Capitals twice prior to their recently completed six-game road trip. Backstrom and Wilson skated on their own while the team was away.
"This is the next step," Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. "We've been gone for a while, so we come home and see where the guys have advanced and a lot of good work with (strength and conditioning coach) Mark Nemish here, both off ice and on ice, and this is the next step of progression. So it's really good to have them out there."
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov was a full participant in the morning skate but remains day to day, missing his 16th straight game because of a lower-body injury. Neither goalie Darcy Kuemper (upper body) nor defenseman Martin Fehervary (upper body) skated Friday. -- Tom Gulitti

Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews played for the Blackhawks against the Winnipeg Jets at United Center on Friday.
The forward missed a 3-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday because of an illness. Forward Lukas Reichel was recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League and played 13:58. He was sent back to the AHL on Wednesday.
Toews practiced with the Blackhawks on Thursday and skated Friday after the team took the day off Wednesday.
"He seemed better, especially after two days," Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said Thursday. "Lot better and obviously eating and getting some rest at home [Wednesday] was key. He said he felt much better before practice, going out there."
Toews is third on the Blackhawks with 14 points (eight goals, six assists) and leads the NHL with a 64.2 face-off winning percentage (minimum 150 face-offs) in 24 games. ­-- Tracey Myers

Anaheim Ducks

John Klingberg returned against the San Jose Sharks on Friday after missing seven games because of a lower-body injury.
The defenseman has eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 20 games this season.
"Klingberg's had a rougher go of it," Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek told the Orange County Register on Nov. 29. "When I spoke to him, he really believes in himself and is betting on himself. Having said that, for his game, he's been trying to do too much out there versus trying to keep things a little more simpler."
Forward Jayson Megna, who was claimed on waivers from the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, will make his Ducks debut. He'll face his brother, Sharks defenseman Jaycob Megna, for the first time in the NHL.
"It's a dream come true for me and him," Jayson Megna said. "We played against each in the [American Hockey League] ... but this will be the first time in the NHL. It'll be a great experience. Looking forward to it tonight. My parents will be in town. It'll be a really cool experience." -- Dan Arritt

Seattle Kraken

Jaden Schwartz did not play for the Kraken in a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals.
"He's out day to day," coach Dave Hakstol said. "Upper body. Won't play tonight."
Schwartz has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 25 games and had been playing on the top line with Andre Burakovsky and Alex Wennberg.
Oliver Bjorkstrand started in Schwartz's spot.
"I know how to play with them. Started the season with them so pretty familiar," Bjorkstrand said. "Anybody I play with I try to make the best of it. When you play with those guys maybe you [get] a little more ice time, a little more opportunity, so take advantage of it."
Bjorkstrand has 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 25 games. -- Harvey Valentine

Carolina Hurricanes

Sebastian Aho won't play against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, BSSO, ESPN+, SN NOW) after the forward missed practice for the second straight day because of a lower-body injury.
"We weren't sure today if he was going to be able to go," coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "He's not, so he won't play."
Brind'Amour said Aho is day to day and believes it will be a short-term injury absence.
Forward Jesper Fast is doubtful to play Saturday because of an undisclosed injury.
Aho is second on the Hurricanes with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 26 games this season; forward Martin Necas leads with 28 (12 goals, 16 assists). Fast has eight points (two goals, six assists) in 26 games.
Frederik Andersen practiced for the second straight day since the goalie sustained a lower-body injury Nov. 6. He has missed 14 games.
"It's a good sign," Brind'Amour said Thursday. "I was happy to see him out there. Obviously still sharing a net kind of thing; that's his first practice with us. He's been out for a long time. Not close to playing, but at least we're taking the right steps."