NHL Buzz: Pietrangelo returns for Golden Knights

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

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Vegas Golden Knights

Alex Pietrangelo returned to play against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday (NBCSN).
The defenseman was out with an upper-body injury he sustained blocking a shot in a 4-0 win against the San Jose Sharks on March 6. He missed 12 games; Vegas was 8-4-0 in those games.
Pietrangelo returned to practice Monday as a non-contact participant. He was a full participant at the morning skate Wednesday taking rushes with Brayden McNabb.
"World-class player," forward Alex Tuch said. "He's going to help in all aspects of the game."
Pietrangelo scored 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 18 games this season and led Vegas in average ice time per game (25:27).
"For sure, it's going to be a spark," coach Peter DeBoer said Monday. "You're getting one of the best defensemen in the world in your lineup. I really liked how he played the last 10 games prior the injury. I thought every night he was getting better, starting to control games at both ends of the rink. He started to look comfortable." -- Danny Webster

Tampa Bay Lightning

Ryan McDonagh could return against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; BSSUN, BSOH, NHL.TV).
The defenseman has missed the past four games with a lower-body injury. He was a limited participant Tuesday before taking part in a full practice Wednesday, which included work on the penalty kill.
McDonagh has scored eight points (two goals, six assists) in 31 games. He ranks third on the Lightning in ice time per game (21:58) and first in shorthanded ice time per game (3:09).
"Tomorrow hopefully we'll get some good news that he can play," coach Jon Cooper said.
Defensemen Jan Rutta, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, and Erik Cernak, who sustained a lower-body injury in a 3-1 loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, aren't close to returning.
"Cernak and Rutta are steps back unfortunately, so we'll have to see, I don't know," Cooper said. "…I can't make a prognosis quite yet but we were hoping they would be a little further along than they are. They're just not right yet. " -- Corey Long

St. Louis Blues

Mike Hoffman is expected to return to the lineup one game after he was a healthy scratch.
The forward, who has two points (one goal, one assist) in his past 10 games, skated on a line with Brayden Schenn and David Perron at practice Wednesday. Hoffman did not play in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
"He's got to be put in a good situation to succeed," coach Craig Berube said. "He's a scorer, he's an offensive player, so you've got to put him with offensive players and play him there. Sometimes, sitting out a game here or there, that's part of hockey and that's part of coach's decisions. … He's a proven scorer in this League, and I think he can do a good job for us."
The Blues visit the Colorado Avalanche on Friday (9 p.m. ET; ALT, BSMW, NHL.TV).
Perron, who was made a healthy scratch by Berube during the 2018-19 season, said he understands what Hoffman is going through.
"It catches the attention of everyone," Perron said. "[Berube will] single you off like maybe he did to 'Hoff' there, but at the same time, he'll give you a chance to get back and prove that you can give more in a way. I'm really thankful for 'Chief' for that. He's great, he turns the page on that. He'll give him a decent opportunity."
Hoffman is fifth on the Blues with 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 33 games. -- Louie Korac

Pittsburgh Penguins

Tristan Jarry is day to day with an upper-body injury.
The goalie was injured in a 2-1 win against the New York Islanders on Monday and did not return for the second period after making five saves in the first.
Casey DeSmith, who made 19 saves in relief, is expected to start at the Boston Bruins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SN, NESN, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV). He has allowed one goal in his past 152:14.
"Casey's a real competitive guy," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "I know he loves the game. He loves to work at his game. I just think with each year that he plays, he gains a little bit more experience. He becomes a more mature goaltender."
Jarry is 15-8-2 with a 2.79 goals-against average and .910 save percentage this season. He is 13-4-1 since losing five of his first seven starts (2-4-1).
DeSmith is 8-3-0 in 13 games (11 starts) and ranks second in the NHL with a 1.91 GAA and is tied for second with a .929 save percentage among goalies to play at least 10 games.
"I think it's more than a luxury (to have two capable goalies), it's a requirement in today's game," Sullivan said. "To have two guys that we know we can put in the net and we feel really confident that they're going to make the timely saves for us … it's a good feeling to have as a coach."-- Wes Crosby

Florida Panthers

Anthony Duclair will be out 7-10 days with an upper-body injury.
The forward appeared to injure his shoulder in the final seconds of the second period in a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
Duclair has scored 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 29 games this season.
The Panthers are also without forwards Patric Hornqvist (undisclosed) and Aleksander Barkov (lower body), and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (leg), who is expected to be out 12 weeks.
Florida hosts Detroit on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; BSFL, BSDET, NHL.TV).