NHL Buzz: Eichel likely out for Golden Knights against Kraken

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Vegas Golden Knights

Jack Eichel is not expected to play when the Golden Knights host the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; ATTSN-RM, ROOT-NW, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The forward missed a 2-1 shootout win against the Dallas Stars with an undisclosed injury Saturday. He leads Vegas with 65 points (27 goals, 38 assists) in 66 games and is tied for first in goals with forward Jonathan Marchessault.
Shea Theodore skated Monday, but will not play Tuesday. The defenseman has been out since March 28 with an undisclosed injury.
Defenseman Zach Whitecloud is also expected to be out and is being reevaluated for a lower-body injury.
"I don't think he's long term," coach Bruce Cassidy said Monday. "I saw him this morning, he wasn't doing too bad. We're certainly out for tomorrow. We'll see on Thursday."
Alex Pietrangelo did not practice Monday. Cassidy said it was a maintenance day and the defenseman will likely play Tuesday.
Mark Stone skated in a no-contact jersey at practice Monday, but there's no timeline yet for his return from back surgery.
The forward has been out since Jan. 12 and had surgery Jan. 31.
"It's a good sign. He looked good," Cassidy said. "This is the next phase of his return to play, recovery. Get integrated with the team. I don't know how long that has to be. That's Step 1. We'll see how he responds to it tomorrow. It was good to have him around."
Stone has 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists) in 43 games this season.
"When you're on your own and not skating it's tough, I didn't know when we could expect to have him back," Cassidy said. "He's continuing onto the next phase is always a good time. It's a good sign. To be with the guys has to be good for him mentally, as well. The guys get a boost having their captain back whether it's having him in the room or participating in drills, whatever it is. It's always good." -- Paul Delos Santos

Boston Bruins

David Krejci has been shut down for the final two games of the regular season, but the Bruins are hopeful the center will return for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Krejci has not played since April 1 because of a lower-body injury.
"Today was his [Krejci's] best day, so that has us optimistic about where he's going to be," coach Jim Montgomery said Tuesday. "He will not play either game [remaining in the regular season]."
The 36-year-old is fifth on the Bruins with 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) in 70 games. He returned for his 16th season with Boston after playing in the Czech Republic in 2021-22.
Forwards Patrice Bergeron and Taylor Hall, defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Dmitry Orlov and goalie Linus Ullmark will all returned Tuesday when Boston hosted the Washington Capitals. Each was rested for the Bruins' 5-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. -- Joe Pohoryles

Pittsburgh Penguins

Dmitry Kulikov returned for the Penguins against the Chicago Blackhawks at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday, but Nick Bonino remained out.
"'Bones' is not cleared," coach Mike Sullivan said.
Bonino, a forward, and Kulikov a defenseman, took full contact in practice Monday. Bonino has missed 16 games with a lacerated kidney; Kulikov has been out with a lower-body injury since March 12.
Kulikov practiced with Jan Rutta on Monday. Defenseman Marcus Pettersson, who did not play after being a game-time decision, rotated on a fourth defense pair with Mark Friedman and Chad Ruhwedel.
Bonino, who won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017, does not have a point in three games since being brought back in a three-team trade with the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens last month. Kulikov has one assist in four games since being traded to the Penguins from the Anaheim Ducks.
"It was as frustrating as it could have been," Bonino said Monday. "You leave your family, especially. Come out, excited to get here. Play three games and then, effectively, sit on a couch for two weeks with zero anything. Can't do anything physical. Happy to be back, moving around."
Drew O'Connor did not play Tuesday after the forward practiced in a no-contact jersey Monday. He missed a 5-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday with an undisclosed injury. -- Wes Crosby