Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2020-21 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin returned to practice Wednesday and could play against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSWA, MSG+, NHL.TV).
“I’m hoping so,” Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. “The fact that he was out there, that’s always a positive. So I can’t say definitely one way or the other, but it was great to have him out there today.”
Ovechkin did not practice Tuesday because of a lower-body injury. It was Washington’s first practice since a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday.
The forward left briefly during the second period Saturday but returned to finish the game and played 23:19, most among Capitals forwards. He did not score a goal for the first time in six games. Ovechkin leads Washington with 14 goals in 27 games this season.
Ovechkin missed four games earlier this season while in NHL COVID-19 protocol from Jan. 20-29.
Forward T.J. Oshie also returned to practice after missing Tuesday for personal reasons, but center Lars Eller did not practice. Eller has missed four games with a lower-body injury but skated with the Capitals on Thursday, Friday and Tuesday.
It is unclear whether Eller will be available Thursday. — Tom Gulitti
Arizona Coyotes
Antti Raanta will be out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
“Raanta is going to be out for a while whether its week to week or whatever,” coach Rick Tocchet said after a 5-4 shootout win against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. “It’s going to be a while. We’re not going to see him for a bit.”
The goalie was placed on injured reserve prior to the game. Arizona is also without Darcy Kuemper, who has not played since March 8 because of a lower-body injury.
Adin Hill made 35 saves Tuesday and is expected to start against the San Jose Sharks on Friday (10 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-A, NBCSCA, NHL.TV).
Prior to making his first start this season on Feb. 24, Hill hadn’t played since Feb. 19, 2020.
“Hill is going to have to get some rest because he’ll play a lot,” Tocchet said. “He’s a battler. He’s come a long way. … He hasn’t played in a year and all of a sudden he’s back in the fold. It seems we put him in tough spots and he’s done a nice job battling for us.”
Ivan Prosvetov could be the backup Friday for the second straight game. He has not played in an NHL game.
“There’s going to be a point where he might have to play for us because ‘Kuemps’ is going to be still out and ‘Rants’ too, so he might have to,” Tocchet said. “We’re going to worry about Friday and we’ll go from there.” –– Alan Robinson