NHL Buzz: Marchand in COVID-19 protocol, misses Bruins victory

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2020-21 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Frederik Andersen's return to the lineup is "not imminent," coach Sheldon Keefe said Saturday.
The goalie, who last played in a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on March 19, is out with a lower-body injury.
"No real update yet, one should be coming," Keefe said. "He's had some different examinations and different things he's had looked at. He's not been on the ice, so his return is not imminent here, but I expect we will have an update on that in the coming days."
Jack Campbell started for a third straight game, a 4-3 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Michael Hutchinson was his backup.
Andersen missed four games with a lower-body injury from Feb. 22 to March 1 before returning and playing seven of Toronto's next eight games. He said March 18 that the injury that caused him to miss those games was bothering him when he returned.
Andersen is 13-8-2 with a 2.91 GAA and .897 save percentage in 23 games (22 starts) this season. -- Dave McCarthy

Boston Bruins

Brad Marchand was placed on the NHL COVID-19 protocol list Saturday and was not in the lineup for a 3-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres.
The forward had not missed a game this season. He has scored 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 29 games.
Trent Frederic replaced Marchand on the top line with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.
"We have a deep roster. Other guys are ready to go," coach Bruce Cassidy said before the game. "… Every player in that room probably wants more responsibility. … so here's a day where they're going to get some of that, whether it's Frederic on that line or someone's in 'Marshy's' power-play spot or on the penalty kill. So opportunity is knocking for other players and it's up to them to seize it. Not try to be 'Marsh,' but be themselves and the best version of themselves."
Bruins forwards Jake DeBrusk and Sean Kuraly are also in protocol. Forward Sean Kuraly was placed on the protocol list prior to a 4-1 win against the Sabres on March 18. The next day, DeBrusk, Pastrnak and forwards David Krejci and Craig Smith were added to the list, causing two games (at Buffalo on March 20 and against the New York Islanders on March 23) to be postponed.
Krejci, Pastrnak and Smith were removed from protocol Wednesday.
The Bruins also announced that defenseman John Moore will be out for the season with a hip injury. His expected recovery time is 5-6 months. -- Amalie Benjamin

Florida Panthers

Patric Hornqvist and Aleksander Barkov did not play at the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
Hornqvist is expected to be out a week with an undisclosed injury, and Barkov will be out for a third straight game because of a lower-body injury. Coach Joel Quenneville said Barkov is doubtful to return when the Panthers close out their five-game road trip against Dallas on Sunday.
The forwards are two of the Panthers' top three scorers this season. Barkov leads Florida with 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists), one ahead of forward Jonathan Huberdeau (36 points; 11 goals, 25 assists). Hornqvist is third with 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists).
"Irreplaceable players, no doubt about it," defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. "But we're going to go out there and do our best to fill their roles and find a way to win this game. That's what it comes down to. Obviously losing three straight we want to find a way out of this, and it's going to take a full team effort to do it." -- Sean Farrell

Columbus Blue Jackets

Joonas Korpisalo is day to day with a lower-body injury. The goalie allowed four goals on 33 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
Elvis Merzlikins started a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday with
Cameron Johnson
backing him up.
Korpisalo is 8-10-6 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 25 games (24 starts) this season.