NHL Buzz: Connor, Schmidt in COVID-19 protocol for Jets, out three games

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Winnipeg Jets

Kyle Connor and Nate Schmidt were placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol Wednesday and will miss three games for the Jets.
Connor, a forward, and Schmidt, a defenseman, each tested positive and have to quarantine for five days. They did not play against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, and will be out at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday and against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
"We've had other top guys out," Jets coach Dave Lowry said. "And yes, you just pointed out that [Connor is] not going to be available to play, but somebody else will have to step up. And what it does now is, it creates opportunity for somebody else to come in and take advantage."
Connor led the Jets with 41 goals and 82 points in 67 games and had not missed a game this season. Schmidt scored 31 points (four goals, 27 assists) in 66 games.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Zach Werenski will miss the next two games for the Blue Jackets because of an upper-body injury.
The defenseman will not travel for games at the New York Islanders on Thursday and at the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
Werenski did not play in a 4-3 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday after he was injured Saturday during the first period of a 3-2 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild in a collision with Wild defenseman Jake Middleton.
Werenski scored 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 60 games this season.
Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen and assistant Steve McCarthy also will not travel after they were placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol Tuesday. Associate Pascal Vincent will coach.

Vegas Golden Knights

Brayden McNabb was expected to return to the lineup for the Golden Knights for the first time since March 3.
The defenseman, who missed 13 games with an upper-body injury. was a full participant in the morning skate prior to the game against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday.
"The fact we've got six or seven veterans (defensemen) back there now that we're comfortable with, it's the first time in a long, long time, maybe all season, that we've felt like that," Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said Wednesday. "So that's a real comfort."
McNabb scored 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 55 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Jason Zucker will be a game-time decision for the Penguins to start a two-game road trip, coach Mike Sullivan said.
The forward has not played since having core muscle surgery Jan. 25. Zucker, who has missed 30 games, and 37 of the past 38, took full contact during a morning skate Tuesday and was a full participant in practice Wednesday.
Pittsburgh plays at the Minnesota Wild on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; BSN, BSWIX, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE) before visiting the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
"It's been, obviously, a tough time being out," Zucker said March 26. "You never want to be away from the team. It's always tough being injured and away. But overall, it feels really good now."
Zucker took line rushes at second-line left wing with center Evgeni Malkin and right wing Rickard Rakell on Wednesday. Right wing Bryan Rust, who was on the second line in a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday, rejoined center Sidney Crosby and left wing Jake Guentzel on the first line.
Zucker scored 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 31 games. He scored twice in his most recent game, a 5-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 17. -- Wes Crosby

Vancouver Canucks

Nils Hoglander is likely out for the season for the Canucks with a lower-body injury. The forward has not played since March 15.
"I think he's out long term, week to week right now," Vancouver coach Bruce Boudreau said Wednesday. "There's only 4-5 weeks left in the regular season, so it would be hard-pressed right now for me to say he's going to come back before then."
Hoglander scored 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) in 60 games.