NHL Buzz: Pastrnak out for Bruins with injury

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

Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak will not play for the Bruins against the Red Wings (7:30 p.m. ET; SN, BSDET, NESN, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The forward aggravated a previous injury in the third period of a 3-2 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.
"He had an injury there against Winnipeg (on March 18), goalie exchange with (Linus) Ullmark that flared up one day," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said Tuesday. "I don't know if this is the exact same thing or not -- I just found out. If that ends up being the case -- if that's the message we get that he's going to need whatever amount of time to get it right -- I don't think it's long term, but we'll put him as day to day. But who knows?"
Pastrnak leads Boston with 38 goals and is tied with Brad Marchand for the team lead with 71 points.
Tomas Nosek will move up to Pastrnak's spot on the second line. Third-line left wing Trent Frederic will also miss the game with an upper-body injury sustained against the Blue Jackets.
Jack Studnicka, Anton Blidh and Marc McLaughlin will each enter the lineup. -- Dave Hogg

Colorado Avalanche

Bowen Byram returned for the Avalanche against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The defenseman was a full participant in the morning skate after being recalled on Monday from a conditioning assignment with Colorado of the American Hockey League.
Byram was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 12 after experiencing concussion-related symptoms before a game against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 11.
"Good timing. We have another month, just over a dozen games to go," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. "Try to get him in here and get his game back to where it's going to need to be for the playoffs."
Byram had three concussions in 2021.
"I don't have any [concerns] at this point. We're crossing our fingers, hoping for the best," Bednar said. "Because of his history, always have a little bit of worry. But I mean, he feels good. He's ready to go. I'm trusting the player on this. He's had a lot of help away from the rink here. He's healthy."
Byram has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 18 games this season, his second in the NHL.
Also on Tuesday, Kurtis MacDermid signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 28-year-old defenseman has five points (two goals, three assists) and is third on the Avalanche with 96 blocked shots.
"Kurtis has done everything we've asked of him this season," Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said. "He brings toughness and versatility to our lineup, playing both forward and defense, sometimes both in the same game. He's a great teammate and well respected in our locker room. We're excited to have him under contract for two more years."
Signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Kings on Sept. 12, 2012, MacDermid has 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 171 regular-season games with the Avalanche and Kings. -- Wes Crosby

New York Rangers

Ryan Strome returned for the Rangers against the New Jersey Devils.
The center had missed four games with a lower-body injury.
Strome skated in his usual spot as the center on the second line with Artemi Panarin and Andrew Copp during the morning skate. Copp was the center on the second line in Strome's absence.
Strome also practiced with the first power-play unit.
"He looked pretty good out there," Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said. "Once the trainers give me the OK, he's in. He's a big part of our group, obviously. Power-play unit and playing with Panarin on that line. He makes a big difference for our team and he's an important player for us."
Strome is fifth on the Rangers with 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) in 62 games and is averaging 18:19 of ice time per game. -- Dan Rosen

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jake Muzzin returned for the Maple Leafs against the Florida Panthers.
The defenseman, who practiced Sunday, had missed 20 games because of a concussion.
Muzzin has 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) and is minus-8 in 41 games.
William Nylander, who did not play in a 6-2 win at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, did not take part in the morning skate because of a non-COVID illness. The forward is fourth on Toronto with 64 points (26 goals, 38 assists) in 68 games. -- Corey Long

Montreal Canadiens

Brendan Gallagher returned after missing eight games with a lower-body injury for the Canadiens against the Ottawa Senators.
"I hope so. I feel good to go," Gallagher said Monday. "Haven't talked to the medical guys. Obviously, there's steps you got to go through but I'm expecting to play, yes."
Gallagher has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 43 games this season. He missed 10 games from Dec. 30-Jan. 29 with a lower-body injury.
"He's a warrior," goalie Jake Allen said. "There's not many guys in the League … that played it as hard as him, as greasy and physical and not many guys want to play that game."

Philadelphia Flyers

Scott Laughton returned after missing 12 games with a concussion when the Flyers played the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The forward was injured on March 10 when he fell into the boards after being checked by Florida Panthers defenseman Petteri Lindbohm.
"I tried to get back in against the [Toronto Maple] Leafs on Saturday, but [management] thought it was good to give me a couple more days of skating and a couple hard skates to make sure I was good," Laughton said.
Laughton has 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 54 games.
"He was playing at a really, really high level when he left, and we've really missed him in our lineup in a number of areas," Philadelphia coach Mike Yeo said.
"The departure [Claude Giroux], we've talked a lot about leadership with guys stepping up and 'Laughts' all year for me has been a guy who's really emerged as a leader for our group. One of our more vocal guys, obviously a real competitor the way he plays the game. A guy that drags people into the fight and plays the game the right way."
Defenseman Nick Seeler (lower body) is week to week after being injured during the third period of a 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Forward Zack MacEwen (head), who also was injured Saturday, is out indefinitely. -- Adam Kimelman

Winnipeg Jets

Kyle Connor and Nate Schmidt are expected to play when the Jets host the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday.
Connor, a forward, and Schmidt, a defenseman, each missed three games while in NHL COVID-19 protocol. The Jets were 1-2-0 in their absence, losing the past two games, including 3-2 to the Kings on Saturday.
"It was tough having to sit out those couple of games, but it's good to be back," Connor said after practice Monday. "I probably never would've never found out if we didn't have to test. I probably would've still played the game. I was pretty fortunate. I never had any symptoms and I felt great the whole time."
Connor leads the Jets and is fifth in the NHL with 41 goals in 67 games. His 82 points are tied for 10th.
"You bring two key pieces back in your lineup, you bring your most dynamic and prolific goal scorer back into your lineup, it gives you a boost," Jets coach Dave Lowry said.
Schmidt has 31 points (four goals, 27 assists) in 66 games this season, tied with Josh Morrissey for the most among Jets defensemen.
Jansen Harkins will not play against the Red Wings and the forward is being evaluated for an undisclosed injury sustained in the loss to Los Angeles.

Vancouver Canucks

Brock Boeser will not play for the Canucks during their two-game road trip because of an upper-body injury.
The forward was injured late in the second period of a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. He was holding his right arm after getting hit awkwardly into the boards by teammate Elias Pettersson while trying to check Vegas defenseman Ben Hutton. Boeser returned for the third period but wasn't at practice Tuesday and won't play at Vegas on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; SN360, SNP, TVAS, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) or against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.
"Brock is still being evaluated at this time," Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He's not making the trip. We'll know more about his situation when we get back."
Boeser has 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists) in 64 games this season.
Quinn Hughes is questionable against the Golden Knights because of a stomach illness. He did not travel to Las Vegas on Tuesday but could play.
"Hopefully he feels much better tonight and can get on a plane (Wednesday)," Boudreau said.
Hughes has 53 points (five goals, 48 assists) in 66 games this season.
Defenseman Jack Rathbone was recalled from Abbotsford of the American Hockey League under emergency conditions.
Boudreau also said defenseman Tucker Poolman could be out for the season.
Poolman returned Sunday after missing 26 games because of migraine headaches but left after the first period with what Boudreau said after the game was a recurrence.
"I'm not a doctor but it would be hard with 12 games to go," Boudreau said. "More worried about him getting better. We'll take it a day at a time but I'm not holding out hope for this year." -- Kevin Woodley