- Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks Kevin Bieksa skated yesterday with the team. He broke is left hand back in January and was given a six- to eight-week timetable. Currently at the seven week mark.
“This was my first day with the team, so any time that happens, I think expectations grow,” Bieksa said when queried about a possible return to game action. “You’re expected to be back sooner, but there is a plan in place and we’re going to stick to it. Today was fun to get out with the guys and I’m feeling better every day.”
Coach Willie Desjardins didn’t think Yannick Weber’s injury is long-term. Chris Higgins left practice early on Friday and hasn’t taken part since. They are unsure if his injury is short- or long-term.
- Chris Ryndak of Sabres.com: Defenseman Zach Bogosian and Andrej Meszaros left Saturday’s game early. Meszaros left in the first period after gloving the puck down, and Bogosian left in the third with a lower-body injury. Bogosian is more likely than Meszaros for Wednesday.
- Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel: Panthers Roberto Luongo on how last week’s injury situation played out.
“I looked at the score and saw they had just tied it up,” said Luongo, who practiced separately before the team and is uncertain whether or not he will miss his third straight game Thursday against the Jets.
“I transferred over to Twitter to see what’s going on. All of a sudden I saw they were putting in the goal, so I was, ‘Maybe we should step on it to get back.’ ”
“I rushed back,” said Luongo, who gave up no goals with 19 saves, including three after playing with basically one arm when he returned with 9:08 to play.
“I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when I got back. But obviously, when I saw face in the locker room I knew I had to get dressed as soon as possible.”
- Scott Powers of ESPN Chicago: Blackhawks Trevor van Riemsdyk is scheduled to get into a game on Saturday with the Rockford of the AHL. He’s been out since November after fracturing his left patella.
- Mark Masters: Maple Leafs Roman Polak had season ending hernia surgery.
- Gary Lawless: Jets Bryan Little is out tonight.
- David Pollak: Nothing official, but would be a surprise if Sharks Mike Brown anytime soon.
- Pierre LeBrun: Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said that Alexei Emelin won’t play tonight. He’s day-to-day, but is close.
- Steve Zipay: No update on Rangers Henrik Lundqvist. He won’t make the trip to Washington and Buffalo.
- Kevin Kurz: Sharks Matt Irwin skated yesterday and hopes to be ready later this week.
- Mike Heika: Stars Valeri Nichushkin (hip) skate with the team yesterday. He’s travelling with the team, but is still seven to 10 days away.
- Sam Charchidi: Flyers Nicklas Grossmann skated yesterday and there is an outside chance that he plays tonight. If he doesn’t go tonight, he should be able to go on Thursday.
- Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets defenseman Kevin Connauton, who has been out the past two weeks, could get into the lineup tonight.
- Shawn Mitchell: Blue Jackets Ryan Murray traveled with the team but is not expected to play tonight. It hasn’t been ruled out though.
- Carolina Hurricanes: Defenseman Jack Hillen is out with a concussion.
