NHL Buzz: Keith, Kassian out weeks for Oilers

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

Edmonton Oilers

Duncan Keith and Zack Kassian will each be out long term for the Oilers.
Keith, a defenseman, is out 2-4 weeks because of concussion protocol and upper-body soreness. He was injured in a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday after hitting the end boards trying to break up a rush.
Keith scored 14 points (one goal, 13 assists) in 35 games this season.
Kassian, a forward, will be out 4-8 weeks with a fractured jaw sustained Wednesday when he was hit in the face with the puck.
He scored 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 35 games.
The Oilers, who fired Dave Tippett as coach Thursday and replaced him with Jay Woodcroft, host the New York Islanders on Friday.

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Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron is day to day for the Bruins because of an upper-body injury and did not play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
The center left with 8:44 remaining in the third period of a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday after colliding with Penguins forward Sidney Crosby.
"Everybody saw, he slid into the boards," Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said Thursday. "He has a laceration on the back of his head. We're just taking it day by day. No time frame whatsoever. Just worried about his health, just like every other player in terms of what the process is."
Bergeron scored 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 43 games this season.
"It's involving his head, so we have to be careful," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said Wednesday. "This is a guy that's had a head injury in the past. We want to make sure everything checks out. He wants to make sure everything checks out. … hopefully he's in good shape the next few days. But we're going to obviously take as much time as we need."-- Amalie Benjamin

Tampa Bay Lightning

Nikita Kucherov returned to play for the Lightning against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.
The forward missed three games in NHL COVID-19 protocol. He scored 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 11 games this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jake Muzzin return to play for the Maple Leafs against the Calgary Flames on Thursday after the defenseman missed seven games with a concussion.
"Obviously the type of injury, there's nothing positive about that, but the time off and with the All-Star break being in there, he hasn't missed as many games as we would have, but yet has a chance to reset," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.
Muzzin scored 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in 35 games this season. He was second on the Maple Leafs in average ice time per game (21:21) and hits (74), and tied for third in blocked shots (45).
"I think the defensive pieces have really been there for him," Keefe said. "He's been solid for us in that way. Some of his play with the puck, he's looking for some consistency there, to move it out clean there and get going. I think that this reset here may turn into a positive for him in that sense. -- Aaron Vickers

Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin
could return for the Penguins against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.
The center was placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol Monday and expected to miss at least two games. He missed a 4-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday and did not play against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
"It is my understanding that 'Geno' tested out of the protocol today," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Wednesday. "I am still waiting on confirmation on Geno. If that is the case, he will be available Sunday against New Jersey."
Malkin was on a nine-game point streak (three goals, seven assists) and scored 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 12 games since making his season debut against the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 11. He missed the first 34 games recovering from knee surgery he had in June.

Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon is on track to return for the Avalanche against the Dallas Stars on Sunday.
The center missed his fourth game because of a concussion and facial fracture sustained Jan. 26 when the Avalanche played the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, after he skated in a regular jersey during an optional practice.
MacKinnon was fifth on the Avalanche with 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 31 games. Among NHL players with at least 30 games this season, he was fourth with an average of 1.39 points per game.