NHL Buzz: Kallgren makes first NHL start for Maple Leafs

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

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Toronto Maple Leafs

Erik Kallgren is making his first NHL start for the Maple Leafs against the Dallas Stars (TSN4, BSSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The 25-year-old goalie made 10 saves on 11 shots in his NHL debut in relief of Petr Mrazek in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.
"He's very quiet, you don't hear much from him," Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. "He goes about his business. But you saw the confidence when he went in the net (Thursday) with no warning or heads up. … He showed extreme poise and confidence in that moment."
Kallgren is 15-8-1 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .904 save percentage in 26 games with Toronto of the American Hockey League this season.
"He's a quiet guy," Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said. "It seems like he's feeling his way out a little bit. But when he gets on the ice, puts the gear on, he seems very confident and detailed in his demeanour and the way he approaches the game and his position. It's been nice to see him here. He got a little taste of some game action already and he's got a great chance tonight, so it's on us to play well for him."
The Maple Leafs have allowed at least four goals in their past six games and in 10 of 12. Mrazek has a 3.48 GAA and .884 save percentage in 17 games (15 starts) this season, and Jack Campbell, who is out with a rib injury, had allowed at least three goals in 12 of 15 starts, including five goals seven times. -- Dave McCarthy

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Vancouver Canucks

Elias Pettersson will miss a second straight game with an upper-body injury when the Canucks host the New Jersey Devils (10 p.m. ET; SNP, MSG+, MSG+ 2, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) but the forward isn't expected to be out long.
"He's day to day," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "This is not a long-term thing with him, we'll be happy to get him back and hopefully Thursday he'll be able to play."
The Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Pettersson was a surprise scratch for a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, the first game he has missed this season, but has skated on his own each of the past two days. He missed the final 30 games last season with a wrist injury he's since admitted also affected his performance early this season.
"I know he's had trouble in the past with a big-time injury but I don't think this is anything serious at all," Boudreau said.
Pettersson is third on the Canucks with 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 59 games, including 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in his past 13.
"We'll see how he feels today and see if he can practice tomorrow," Boudreau said. "If he can, then the possibility of playing Thursday is great. If not, it's just day to day with him."
Center Nic Petan was recalled from Abbotsford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday and is expected to make his Canucks debut against the Devils. -- Kevin Woodley

New Jersey Devils

Nico Hischier will return to the lineup for the Devils against the Vancouver Canucks (10 p.m. ET; SNP, MSG+, MSG+ 2, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) after missing three games with a lower-body injury
The center did not take part in an optional skate on Tuesday but practiced on Monday.
"He will play," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. "It was an optional today but a rare day where almost everybody went out."
Hischier is third on the Devils with 38 points (16 goals, 22 assists) in 50 games this season.
"I was in pain for a bit for sure but I feel fine now," he said Monday. "It's good to be back in practice and felt good."-- Kevin Woodley

Montreal Canadiens

Ryan Poehling will be out indefinitely for the Canadiens because of an upper-body injury.
The forward was injured during the second period of a 4-3 overtime win at the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday.
Poehling has scored 12 points (five goals, seven assist) in 45 games this season.
Montreal is hosting the Arizona Coyotes (TSN2, RDS, BSAZX, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).

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Anaheim Ducks

Forwards Rickard Rakell and Ryan Getzlaf are not playing for the Ducks against the New York Rangers (MSG, BSSC, BSSD, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Rakell is out for a second straight game because of an upper-body injury; he did not play at the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Rakell has scored 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 51 games this season.
Getzlaf is out for a sixth game with a lower-body injury; he has scored 31 points (three goals, 28 assists) in 47 games.

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Winnipeg Jets

Andrew Copp is out for the Jets against the Vegas Golden Knights (TSN3, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). He was a game-time decision.
The forward left early in the third period of a 4-3 overtime win against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday after a collision with Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist.
Copp previously missed six games (Feb. 17-27) because of an upper-body injury.
"It's going to be no different than when he was out the last time," Jets coach Dave Lowry said. "I've always said injuries provide an opportunity, and we've got to continue with that next-man-up mentality."
Copp has scored 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) in 54 games this season.

San Jose Sharks

James Reimer is expected to return for the Sharks against the Florida Panthers (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU).
The goalie missed four games with a lower-body injury. He had played through the injury before leaving after the first period of a 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 1.
Reimer is 15-12-5 with a 2.84 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 34 games (33 starts) this season.
Adin Hill is day to day with a lower-body injury. The goalie made 29 saves in a 5-0 shutout against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, his first game since missing 15 with the same injury.