Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Each day during the regular season, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
Calgary Flames
Dan Vladar was placed on injured reserve Friday with a lower-body injury.
The goalie dressed as the backup to Jacob Markstrom in a 5-3 win against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. He has not played in the past five games since making 29 saves in a 3-1 loss against the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 20.
Vladar is 7-7-2 with a 3.27 goals-against average and .895 save percentage in 16 games this season.
Dustin Wolf was recalled from Calgary of the American Hockey League on Friday; he is 1-2-1 with a 3.46 GAA and .893 save percentage in five games (four starts) with the Flames this season.
Calgary next plays at the New York Islanders on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; MSGSN, SNW, SNO, SNE).
Pittsburgh Penguins
Noel Acciari will be out indefinitely for the Penguins with a concussion.
The forward was helped off the ice at 4:15 of the second period Tuesday after taking an illegal check to the head from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon, who was suspended three games.
Acciari did not travel for a two-game road trip beginning with a 3-2 loss at the Minnesota Wild at on Friday. He has four points (three goals, one assist) in 39 games this season, his first with Pittsburgh. -- Wes Crosby
St. Louis Blues
Kasperi Kapanen is likely to return to the lineup against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+).
The forward has missed the past seven games with a lower-body injury sustained while blocking a shot in a 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 15, but was activated from injured reserve on Friday.
Kapanen, who has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 42 games this season, has skated the past two practices on a line with Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours.
"I think he looks really good," Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said of Kapanen after practice Friday. "I think he's good to go here pretty soon. Obviously with a (day) game tomorrow, there isn't any skate, but from what I've seen over the last two skates, he looks ready to go."
Also, Calle Rosen will make his season debut Saturday after the defenseman was recalled from Springfield of the American Hockey League on Thursday with defensemen Justin Faulk and Scott Perunovich each week to week with a lower-body injury.
Rosen played an NHL career-high 49 games last season, scoring 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) and leading St. Louis with a plus-19 rating.
"If you look back at last year, it was a good year for me," Rosen said. "I know all the guys, all the coaches, staff and everything. It's good to come here and know everyone. I obviously feel confident in myself to how I can play. I'm looking forward to it." -- Lou Korac
Montreal Canadiens
Alex Newhook is expected to play his first game since Nov. 30 when the Canadiens face the Dallas Stars at Bell Centre on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; RDS, TSN2, BSSWX).
The forward has missed 27 games since injuring his ankle during a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.
“I’m feeling good and hoping to be in tomorrow, and ready to just get back to the group and start being part of the team again,” Newhook said after practice Friday.
Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis stopped just short of confirming Newhook’s return, though the forward took line rushes at center with Joel Armia and Rafael Harvey-Pinard at practice.
“He’s a combative player, and we know he has an offensive side, so that’s going to help us,” St. Louis said. “But at the same time, he’s a player who has missed a lot of time, and he’ll have to get back up to the beat of the game. That might take a bit of time, but we’ll manage that.”
Newhook has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 23 games while playing both center and wing in his first season in Montreal.
“I think I’ve had a good amount of time at practice here to kind of get my legs back and make sure my ankle feels good in those battle situations and explosive situations,” Newhook said. “And I feel good.” -- Sean Farrell
