NHL Buzz: Barkov to return for Panthers against Sabres

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Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov will play when the Panthers visit the Buffalo Sabres on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MSG-B).

Barkov, who missed his eighth straight game when the Panthers defeated the New York Islanders 6-3 on Saturday, hasn't played since he was injured Oct. 10, when he slammed into the end boards with his skates after sliding in an attempt to stop an empty-net goal with 1:10 remaining in a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

"It's a huge loss when 'Barky' is not in our lineup," forward Sam Bennett said. "He does everything. He makes the game a lot easier for a lot of guys."

Barkov centered Florida’s top line between Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart at the morning skate Monday.

The Panthers will travel to Finland on Tuesday to prepare for the 2024 Global Series Finland presented by Fastenal. They'll play the Dallas Stars at Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland, Barkov's hometown, on Friday and Saturday.

"It would have been sad for us," if Barkov couldn't play, coach Paul Maurice said. "Really the excitement about it is it's his hometown. He means so much to us. Not just on the ice, just as the character and the personality that he is, the identity that he's brought to this team. How the players treat each other, he's a huge part of the team's culture, and he cheers for everybody. He's truly happier when somebody else scores than when he scores. So everybody likes the chance to cheer for him, to watch one of the people they love have a great experience.

"It's a wonderful experience for us, but very open about a dream come true, to play in his hometown, in the NHL, against great competition. So we're happy for him, and yeah, we held our breath for a little bit, and we're really glad he's back." -- Heather Engel

Buffalo Sabres

Nicolas Aube-Kubel will return from injury when the Sabres host the Panthers on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MSG-B).

The forward has been out since sustaining a lower-body injury during a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the opening game of the 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia presented by Fastenal on Oct. 4, when he left in the second period and didn't return.

Aube-Kubel rejoined his teammates for the first time Tuesday in a regular practice jersey and has been a full participant since. He skated at left wing with center Dylan Cozens and right wing Jack Quinn on Sunday after taking reps among the bottom six in previous practices.

"We took a look at it," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of placing Aube-Kubel on that line. "I don't know if we're convinced we're going to use it, but that was what we wanted to see today. [He brings] speed, one of the strongest guys we have on the puck. Was really playing well [before] his injury. It could be a look. That Panthers team is hard, they're heavy, physical. It could create a little bit more forecheck pressure for us."

The initial timeline for Aube-Kubel's return was 3-6 weeks. -- Heather Engel

Pittsburgh Penguins

Bryan Rust continues to be evaluated for a lower-body injury and is questionable when the Penguins host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, SN-PIT).

The forward left at 3:34 of the third period of a 4-3 loss Saturday, favoring his right leg after battling with Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander along the boards.

“We’ll have more clarity after he goes through this process with the doctors,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said.

Rust was second-line right wing with Evgeni Malkin at center for the Penguins (3-6-1), who have lost five straight (0-4-1). He has four points (three goals, one assist) in eight games, mostly at right wing on the first line with center Sidney Crosby.

Crosby, at center, and Malkin, at left wing, took line rushes together in practice Monday.

“Whatever is going to translate into wins,” Crosby said. “I don’t think we’ve changed anything other than, hopefully, with losing some here, we find another level of desperation and urgency.”

Forward Matt Nieto practiced since having reconstructive MCL surgery on his left knee May 2 and laparoscopic surgery to his right knee Jan. 4. He last played Nov. 30, 2023.

Nieto, who took full contact, had four points (one goal, three assists) in 22 games last season after signing a two-year, $1.8 million contract July 1, 2023.

“I think for a while now, I've been skating on my own,” Nieto said. “So, it hasn't been as fun as being out there with the guys. It's been an exciting day, and I'm happy with where I'm at right now."

Forward Blake Lizotte wore a noncontact jersey. He sustained a concussion in a preseason game Sept. 29.

Carolina Hurricanes

Spencer Martin was recalled from Chicago of the American Hockey League on Monday.

The 29-year-old goalie was 1-1-1 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in three AHL games. He hyad a 3.30 GAA and .889 save percentage in 19 NHL games last season with Carolina and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Hurricanes conclude a six-game road trip (4-1-0) at the Vancouver Canucks on Monday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, FDSNSO).

New York Islanders

Alexander Romanov is questionable to play against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; Victory+, MSGSN, KCOP-13) because of an upper-body injury.

“He’s still day to day,” coach Patrick Roy said after Romanov missed a 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday.

The Islanders defenseman sustained the injury after a hit by New Jersey Devils forward Kurtis MacDermid during the second period of a 4-3 overtime win Friday. He did not miss a shift, but was unavailable against the Panthers.

Romanov did not practice Monday.

"I'm going to put it to bed right away -- it is not a concussion, and he will be day to day,” general manager Lou Lamoriello said Saturday. “We're not going to take any chances with it. He should be back in next game, without question."

Dennis Cholowski played 11:18 in his season debut Saturday. The only extra defenseman on the roster, he likely would play Tuesday if Romanov remains unavailable.

“I thought he had an OK game,” Roy said. “I mean, he did some good and did some other things, but I thought, overall, it was an OK game.” -- Stefen Rosner

Ottawa Senators

Shane Pinto is week to week because of an undisclosed injury, Senators coach Travis Green said Sunday.

The forward missed his second straight game when Ottawa lost 5-4 at the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. He played 17:22 during a 4-0 win against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday.

The Senators (4-4-0) loaned forwards Adam Gaudette and Cole Reinhardt to Belleville of the AHL on Monday.