Aleksander Barkov for Buzz

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Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov will not play when the Panthers host the San Jose Sharks at FLA Live Arena on Thursday (7 p.m., BSFLX, NBCSCA, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Barkov was injured when he blocked a shot in the second period of a 7-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. He skated on his own before the Panthers practiced Wednesday.
"He's getting better every day, just a decision where we have to hold him for a night so we have more confidence that we can get him in on the next," Florida coach Paul Maurice said.
After Thursday, the Panthers next play the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
Barkov, who played in the NHL All-Star Game last weekend, is tied for second on the Panthers with 47 points (14 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games. -- Alain Poupart

Colorado Avalanche

Cale Makar will be out at least two games for the Avalanche with an upper-body injury.
The defenseman will not play at Tampa Bay on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360, SNE, SNO, TVAS, ESPN+) or at Florida on Saturday.
Makar was hit high by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jeff Carter in the third period of a 2-1 overtime loss on Tuesday.
"It's a head injury from the hit the other night," Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. "So, you just kind of keep an eye on it day by day and see how it goes. But he's going to miss the remainder of this road trip at minimum and then we'll reevaluate and get back to them."
"All [head injuries] are different. He didn't feel very well obviously, he hasn't been on the ice in the last couple of days. So, we've got to give him some time."
Makar, who previously missed four games with an upper-body injury from Jan. 18-24, has 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 45 games this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews skated in a red non-contact jersey while participating in a full practice on Thursday for the first time since sustaining a knee sprain in a 3-2 win against the New York Rangers on Jan. 25.
Matthews was expected to be out a minimum of three weeks.
"It's just nice to be back out there and just get a feel for everything, feeling better every day," Matthews said. "Definitely moving in the right direction, it's been a positive week for me, so [I've] just got to continue to work and hopefully just feeling better and better."
Matthews, who remained in Toronto to rehab during the team's bye week, sustained the injury during warmups prior to the game against the Rangers and said that it got worse throughout the game.
"I don't know, I think just kind of take it day by day," Matthews said of when he could return to the lineup. "It's been two weeks yesterday, so hopefully not too much longer. Another week or so, get in some good practices, some more practices with the team and feel my way through that and go from there."
Matthews is third on the Maple Leafs with 53 points and second in goals with25 in 47 games this season.
Toronto also placed goalie Matt Murray on injured reserve Thursday. He last played Jan. 17, when he allowed four goals on eight shots in 21:41 of a 5-4 overtime win against Florida.
Joseph Woll was recalled from Toronto of the American Hockey League on Thursday and is expected to back up Ilya Samsonov against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
The Maple Leafs also signed defenseman Conor Timmins to a two-year, $2.2 million contract Thursday. It has an average annual value of $1.1 million.
The 24-year-old has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 18 games with Toronto since he was acquired in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on Nov. 23.
"I think I'm just a piece of the puzzle, I'm glad I've found a fit here," Timmins said. "I'm just trying to play a role and it's been pretty good so far, so I'm really happy with it." -- Dave McCarthy

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Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews will likely be out the next two games, starting against the Coyotes at United Center on Friday (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, BSAZX, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The center missed his fifth consecutive practice Thursday with a non-COVID related illness. The Blackhawks play the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.
"Just like anybody else that was out from an injury or illness, we'll just ramp him back up," Chicago coach Luke Richardson said of Toews, who worked out in the gym at the Blackhawks' facility on Thursday. "But it was good to see him, he was in good spirits. So, [it's] good to have him back around the guys."
Richardson said Toews will either skate on his own or have another gym workout Friday. He also said he doesn't think that Toews' illness was related to the chronic immune response syndrome that kept the Blackhawks captain out the entire 2020-21 season.
"I think that's something he's learned to deal with after he had it," Richardson said. "He was in great shape at training camp, and it showed with his start. He's a big, strong guy, but those guys have lots of miles on them."
Forward Patrick Kane and defenseman Seth Jones practiced Thursday after taking a maintenance day Wednesday. Both will play against the Coyotes. -- Tracey Myers