NHL Buzz: Werenski returns for Blue Jackets against Kings

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

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Columbus Blue Jackets

Zach Werenski played for the Blue Jackets against the Los Angeles Kings after missing four games because of an upper-body injury.
"Obviously it [stinks] missing games and watching, but it's part of hockey," Werenski told the Blue Jackets website. "Stuff happens. I'm happy to be back tonight."
The defenseman last played Feb. 22 in a 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Blue Jackets were 2-2-0 without him.
"I watched all the games," Werenski said. "I think as of late, our whole group, guys have been stepping up. It's been fun watching guys step up and help contribute to the team. … Obviously, the Carolina game (a 4-0 loss Feb. 25) was tough, but I'm happy with the way the guys battled. Guys stepped up. It [stinks] being out, but when you can watch the guys work like that and play good hockey, it makes it better for sure."
Werenski scored 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) in 48 games and was fifth in the NHL with an average ice time of 26:03 per game.
Defenseman Adam Boqvist, who sustained an upper-body injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, was placed on injured reserve, retroactive to Feb. 27. He didn't play Tuesday in a 4-3 win against the New Jersey Devils.

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Dallas Stars

Forward Tyler Seguin and defenseman Miro Heiskanen did not play for the Stars against the Winnipeg Jets because of illness.
"Not feeling great today, so we told them to stay off the ice and they'll be game-time decisions," Dallas coach Rick Bowness said after the morning skate.
Seguin scored 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 53 games. Heiskanen scored 29 points (four goals, 25 assists) and led the Stars with an average ice time of 24:46 in 52 games.-- Taylor Baird

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Winnipeg Jets

Nikolaj Ehlers returned to play for the Jets against the Stars.
The forward practiced Thursday in a normal jersey for the first time since Jan. 18, when he injured his knee in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals.
"Now it's a coach's decision," Ehlers said. "I told him I'm ready to go and I talked to the medical staff about it as well. We kind of had a plan in the last week to kind of aim for the next game, and I feel ready for that."
Ehlers practiced on a line with Andrew Copp and Adam Lowry.
"There will probably be some hiccups, but the expectation is that he's ready to play," Jets coach Dave Lowry said. "… He's with two responsible players, he gives them speed. I look at the other two lines, they seem to have some good chemistry right now."
Ehlers scored 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 34 games this season.-- Tim Campbell

Montreal Canadiens

Goalie Andrew Hammond was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury sustained during a 5-4 overtime win against the Calgary Flames on Thursday.
Hammond made 30 saves in the win, his third in three starts since making his season debut Feb. 20 against the New York Islanders. That game was his first in the NHL regular season since March 28, 2018, with the Colorado Avalanche. The win was his first since April 9, 2016, a span of 2,143 days.
He had a 2.40 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in four games (three starts).
Cayden Primeau
was recalled from Laval of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis and will be available at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. The 22-year-old was 1-7-1 with a 4.88 GAA and .866 save percentage in 11 NHL games (nine starts). He was 11-9-1 with a 2.80 GAA and .912 save percentage in 23 AHL games.