NHL Buzz: MacKinnon returns for Avalanche against Stars

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

Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon returned to the lineup for the Avalanche against the Dallas Stars on Sunday.
The center missed four games after sustaining a concussion and facial fracture in a collision with Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall on Jan. 26. The injuries also kept MacKinnon out of the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
"It's been pretty smooth," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "You have a six-day [concussion] protocol that you have to go through, plus he has a fracture and that all goes smoothly, too. I think the timing of it, where he only has to miss a handful of games and we get the [NHL All-Star] break in there, really helps. So now he's not only back and feeling better and is good to go, but he's had the extra days to skate and prepare."
MacKinnon has scored 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 31 games this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin
returned to the lineup for the Penguins against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.
The center took part in an optional skate Friday after he was removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol. Malkin has missed two games while in protocol, a 4-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday and a 2-0 win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
"I would anticipate the probability that he will play," coach Mike Sullivan said Friday.
Malkin has scored 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 12 games, including 10 points (three goals, seven assists) during a nine-game point streak before entering protocol. He made his season debut Jan. 11 after having knee surgery in June.
Forward Drew O'Connor, who has missed 11 games with an upper-body injury, also participated in the optional practice Friday but remains week to week. -- Wes Crosby

Dallas Stars

John Klingberg did not play Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche because of an upper-body injury sustained in a 4-3 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday.
Stars coach Rick Bowness said the injury is not related to an upper-body injury the defenseman sustained against the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 24 which caused him to miss one game.
Klingberg has scored one goal and 26 points in 39 games this season.
Thomas Harley was recalled from Texas of the American Hockey League on Saturday and replaced Klingberg in the lineup.
The defenseman is scoreless in eight games for Dallas this season, averaging 13:05 in ice time. -- Taylor Baird

Montreal Canadiens

Ben Chiarot was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.
The defenseman played 22:57 in a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday but was not in the lineup Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres.
Chiarot leads Montreal in average ice-time per game (23:17) and has scored nine points (five goals, four assists) in 44 games.
Defenseman Corey Schueneman was recalled from Laval of the American Hockey League and replaced Chiarot in the lineup against the Sabres.

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes
returned the lineup for the Devils against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
The forward was back at practice Saturday after missing three games while in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
"[Hughes] skated yesterday and today for practice; he's missed a few days but he's the type of guy who can catch up in a hurry," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said.
Jesper Bratt did not play against the Penguins and is day to day after the forward sustained an upper-body injury in a 7-4 win at the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
Dougie Hamilton returned to practice wearing a regular jersey Saturday for the first time since sustaining a jaw injury at the Washington Capitals on Jan. 2 but the defenseman did not play against the Penguins. Hamilton had practiced with a no-contact jersey prior to Saturday.
"He's approaching to being a step closer to playing and that's good to see," Ruff said. "Really as soon as he feels good enough, he'll be back in the lineup." -- Mike G. Morreale

Boston Bruins

Patrice Bergeron could return to play for the Bruins this week.
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. Bergeron did not play in a 6-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday or in a 2-0 win against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
The Bruins play at the New York Rangers on Tuesday and at the New York Islanders on Thursday.
"I don't know about Tuesday, let's get back and get on the ice Monday, see if he's joining us then," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said Saturday. "If so, then it becomes a lot more likely. But I believe he will play next week."
Bergeron scored 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 43 games this season.
"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." -- Amalie Benjamin