NHL Buzz: Backstrom, Kuznetsov play for Capitals against Predators

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

#

Washington Capitals

Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie and Tom Wilson played for the Capitals against the Nashville Predators (NBCSWA, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Backstrom, Kuznetsov and Oshie were removed NHL COVID-19 protocol. Wilson missed four games with an upper-body injury.
It will be the first time this season the Capitals will have their top four centers -- Backstrom, Kuznetsov, Lars Eller and Nic Dowd -- in the lineup for the same game.
Backstrom missed the first 28 games recovering from hip surgery, played Dec. 15 and then went into COVID-19 protocol. The day Backstrom returned, Kuznetsov entered protocol.
"To have the centermen back, we haven't had that all year," coach Peter Laviolette said Tuesday. "It's such an important position to be strong down the middle. To get everybody back is a bonus."
Kuznetsov was second on the Capitals with 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 28 games. Wilson scored 24 points (nine goal, 15 assist) in 27 games. Oshie scored 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 14 games.

Nashville Predators

Matt Duchene played for the Predators against the Washington Capitals (NBCSWA, BSSO, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). The forward missed four games with an upper-body injury.
Duchene scored 13 goals in 26 games this season, tied with forward Filip Forsberg for the Predators lead.
Nashville also will have forwards Ryan Johansen, Mikael Granlund, Philip Tomasino and Nick Cousins, and defenseman Ben Harpur in the lineup after each was removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol.

Edmonton Oilers

Mike Smith was the starting goalie for the Oilers at the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday (SN360, SN1, SNE, SNO, SNW, BSMW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
He was activated from long-term injured reserve and played for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 19.
"He's good to go tonight," coach Dave Tippett said. "Really good to see him back. He's an outstanding goaltender but he's also one of our leaders in that room. He's a very vocal guy, very passionate about winning. ... There an accountability that he brings because he wants to drive our team to be the best it can be and that attitude coming back will be really good for our team."
Smith was 2-0-0 with a 3.08 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in three games this season.
The Oilers also had forwards Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Devin Shore and Ryan McLeod, and defenseman Duncan Keith in the lineup.
Hyman missed three games with a shoulder injury sustained against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 11. Nugent-Hopkins, Shore, McLeod and Keith were removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol.

St. Louis Blues

David Perron, Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou played for the Blues against the Edmonton Oilers.
Perron missed 11 games because of an upper-body injury, Thomas missed seven because of a lower-body injury, and Kyrou missed four because of an upper-body injury.
"They're all good to go," coach Craig Berube said. "We're bringing back a lot of skill back in our lineup, power play, all the situational stuff from an offensive standpoint. You're bringing back a lot of goals and points back in your lineup. Looking at it from that standpoint, that's a real good thing."
Thomas led the Blues with 20 assists. Kyrou was tied for third with 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 27 games. Perron scored 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 20 games. -- Lou Korac

Buffalo Sabres

Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs debuted for the Sabres against the New Jersey Devils (MSG-B, MSG+ 2, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The forwards were acquired by the Sabres in the trade that sent center
Jack Eichel
to the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 4.
"I've just been texting [Tuch] back and forth," Krebs said Tuesday. "He's been texting me to see what I'm doing. It's nice having another guy I can lean on, you're familiar with when you come into a locker room. That and Cody Eakin, which was nice to come in here and know a few guys. Talking to him a lot. It's obviously pretty cool."
Tuch, who grew up a Sabres fan in Syracuse, New York, missed the first 30 games of this season recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He scored 139 points (61 goals, 78 assists) in 255 NHL games.
"For him to pull that jersey on tomorrow, his preparation that has gone into this moment from the time he's arrived has been second to none," Sabres assistant Matt Ellis said. "He's added a ton on the day to day on the ice and in our locker room. It'll be a special moment for him. As a group and as an organization, we're extremely excited to finally get Alex into a game as a Buffalo Sabre."
Krebs was assigned to the Rochester of the American Hockey League following the trade. He scored 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 16 AHL games.
"It's definitely a mental grind coming from a different organization and getting acclimated with different guys," Krebs said. "[Rochester coach Seth Appert] has been a huge help for me. … Just kind of bringing confidence into my game and making sure I feel comfortable with the process. Really just embracing that process and earning ice time in Rochester and eventually here." -- Heather Engel

Philadelphia Flyers

Kevin Hayes
and
Morgan Frost
will play for the Flyers at the Seattle Kraken (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, ROOT-NW, NBCSP, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) after the forwards were removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol Tuesday.
Frost missed three games after being pulled from a game Dec. 14 and placed into protocol. Hayes entered Dec. 20.
Each was at center during practice Tuesday, Hayes on a line with Joel Farabee and Travis Konecny, and Frost with Gerry Mayhew and James van Riemsdyk.
The Flyers have limited depth at the position, with centers Sean Couturier,
Derick Brassard
and
Scott Laughton
in protocol, along with goalie Carter Hart and defenseman Ryan Ellis.
"We don't have the luxury of waiting to see how things go or giving them a little extra time," coach Mike Yeo said. "These are important players for us. I haven't had the opportunity to talk to them post-practice yet. Obviously you're watching the battle drills, we had a lot of compete, we had a lot of up and down the ice, and I thought that they held up fine. ... These are guys that are well conditioned going into that, so I think that they'll be fine."
Hayes said he had no issues after testing positive for the virus.
"My COVID battle wasn't too bad," he said. "I know it's a serious thing, obviously, but I had no symptoms at all. I was shocked I tested positive, but I did. Did my quarantine and felt pretty good on the ice today."
Frost scored four points (one goal, three assists) in 10 games. Hayes scored six points (two goals, four assists) in 11 games. -- Adam Kimelman