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Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner is not expected to return from a high ankle sprain for at least the remainder of the week, coach Sheldon Keefe said Wednesday.
The forward participated in an optional practice with the Maple Leafs, who host the Washington Capitals on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SN1, MNMT). Marner has missed the past eight games because of the injury sustained March 7 in a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. He has 76 points (25 goals, 51 assists) in 62 games.
"The hope or plan is that we can get him to be able to be in a (full) practice on Friday," Keefe said. "I do not expect him to be available or even to consider him playing this week, but he looked really good out there today and progress looks to be good.
"He looks to be in a good place. We just have to continue to build him up."
After its game Thursday, Toronto will visit the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Goalie Ilya Samsonov also practiced Wednesday after leaving a 6-3 win against the Edmonton Oilers because of a bruised calf Saturday.
"Everything is good," Samsonov said. "Nice day today. A little bit of practice with the guys, with players. I feel good. I think I'm ready to play. I'm available right now.
"I hit some post with my calf, little bit contusion on my muscle. I don't know how to say; I'm not really good with the medical stuff, but like a cramp. Last couple days, it felt pretty sore. … Moving is great now. [It doesn't] hurt anymore."
Keefe said Joseph Woll would start in goal Thursday. -- Dave McCarthy
Vancouver Canucks
Elias Lindholm remains day to day with an undisclosed injury, but Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said he isn’t worried that his third-line center could be out long term.
Lindholm missed practice on Wednesday after not playing in a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. He is not expected to play against the Dallas Stars on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, BSSW) and does not have a timetable to return, according to Tocchet.
“I'm not really concerned,” Tocchet said. “I think it's just something a little nagging that's getting better every day. That's the way you've got to look at it.”
Tocchet was then asked about a report by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Saturday that said Lindholm will be meeting with a specialist later this week and if that meant he could be out longer term.
“Not to the best of my knowledge," Tocchet said. "I'd say no."
Lindholm, who was acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on Jan. 31, has 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 71 games this season, including nine points (five goals, four assists) in 22 games with the Canucks. -- Kevin Woodley
Pittsburgh Penguins
Jeff Carter could return for the Penguins against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, BSOH).
The forward took part in a full practice Wednesday, rotating with Emil Bemstrom at third-line left wing after missing the past four games with an upper-body injury. He was a game-time decision on Tuesday but did not play in a 4-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 39-year-old has 12 points (nine goals, three assists) in 61 games this season, his 19th in the NHL.
Forward Reilly Smith, recently left wing on the third line, did not practice Wednesday to attend the birth of his child. Sullivan did not say if he would play Thursday. -- Wes Crosby
New York Islanders
Scott Mayfield had season-ending surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season.
The defenseman last played in a 4-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 22, when he has one shot on goal in 15:24 of ice time. He was placed on long-term injured reserve March 5 when Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said that Mayfield would be shut down for 4-6 weeks before a decision would be made regarding surgery.
Mayfield previously missed seven games with a lower-body injury from Oct. 17-30, and eight games with an upper-body injury from Dec. 13-29.
He had five assists in 41 games this season, averaging 18:46 of ice time per game. -- Stefen Rosner
