Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Each day during the regular season, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joseph Woll participated in his first full practice with the Maple Leafs since sustaining a high ankle sprain Dec. 7.
The goalie had his own net throughout practice Monday, which also included Ilya Samsonov. Martin Jones worked with goalie coach Curtis Sanford before it began.
“Today was an important step just to get (Woll) more reps, to have his own net,” Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. “That’s why Jones got some work in prior to practice and a little bit while we were getting going there on his own outside of the practice session itself. Getting Joe tested a little bit more today, and it looks like he got through it well. I haven’t talked to him or the medical people. We will chart his path moving forward, but today was a good step.”
Woll, who is not expected to dress when Toronto faces the St. Louis Blues at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, BSMW), is 8-5-1 with a 2.80 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 15 games this season.
David Kampf, who missed the past three games with an undisclosed injury, was the center on a line between left wing Pontus Holmberg and right wing Ryan Reaves on Monday. Defenseman Mark Giordano, who did not play in a 5-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, skated on a pair with William Lagesson.
“We have to see how they wake up tomorrow and how they’re doing and feeling,” Keefe said. “In Giordano’s case, it was more so whether he could get his skate on and feel good out there and he said he did; in fact, he felt better with his skate on then off, so that’s encouraging. Kampf seems like he’s good. [It’s] just a matter of making sure things don’t tighten up and get worse for him tomorrow.”
Defenseman Conor Timmins, who was not available Saturday because of an illness, remained absent from practice.
“No update,” Keefe said. “He’s got an appointment today that’s going to help chart the course for him. He’s still not feeling well. He’s going to be out for sure tomorrow, not available, and we will have more for you after his appointment.” -- Dave McCarthy
Ottawa Senators
Anton Forsberg could make his return from a groin injury against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; RDS2, TSN5, BSOH).
The 31-year-old goalie, who is 7-8-0 with an .889 save percentage in 16 games this season, had to be helped off the ice by his teammates after attempting to make a save in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 11.
"Forsberg should be coming along pretty good, I think,” Senators coach Jacques Martin said Monday. “So, [he] may be ready tomorrow, I'm not sure. It's a possibility."
Forsberg has been practicing consistently since Ottawa (21-25-2) returned from its bye week last Thursday. Kevin Mandolese will back up Joonas Korpisalo if Forsberg isn’t ready.
Defenseman Jake Sanderson skated for the first time Monday since sustaining a lower-body injury in a 3-2 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 31.
"Sanderson skated briefly, so that's a good sign,” Martin said. “I don't know when [he'll return] yet, but at least he's skating, so I think that's promising."
In Sanderson’s absence, Thomas Chabot practiced with Artem Zub on the first pair. Jakob Chychrun and Jacob Bernard-Docker made up the second pair, and Erik Brannstrom and Travis Hamonic were the third. Zub left the skate early, but Martin said it was for maintenance. -- Callum Fraser
Los Angeles Kings
Viktor Arvidsson is on track to make his season debut for the Kings during their upcoming four-game road trip, which starts Tuesday at the Buffalo Sabres.
Arvidsson, a forward, has been out because of a back injury that required surgery. He returned to practice this week, including participating in an optional skate Saturday, but was not available for a 4-0 win against the Edmonton Oilers.
"He's getting closer," Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller said. "You saw him in a regular jersey yesterday, he actually took some contact in the drills."
Arvidsson had 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists) in 77 games for the Kings last season.
Center Blake Lizotte has resumed skating on his own after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 15, but Hiller said there is no update for when he will return to practice.
Lizotte has nine points (five goals, four assists) in 34 games. -- Dan Greenspan
Carolina Hurricanes
Antti Raanta will be out at least two weeks for the Hurricanes because of a lower-body injury.
The goalie made nine saves in the second period in relief of Pyotr Kochetkov in a 5-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, but Kochetkov had to return for the third.
Raanta is 12-7-2 with a 2.99 GAA and an .872 save percentage in 24 games (20 starts) this season.
Spencer Martin, who was claimed off waivers from the Blue Jackets on Jan. 19, was the backup for Kochetkov in a 1-0 overtime win against the Devils on Saturday. Martin made 26 saves in a 3-2 win at the Boston Bruins on Jan. 24 in his only appearance for Carolina.
"It's good to have guys who know how to play that position because of all the injuries that have gone on here," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. -- Kurt Dusterberg
