NHL Status Report: Tavares week to week for Maple Leafs

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs

John Tavares is week to week because of a lower-body injury, the Maple Leafs announced before their game against the New York Islanders on Saturday. The forward left a 5-4 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday at 2:32 of the third period after a collision with Buffalo forward Josh Norris. Tavares remained on the ice for about 90 seconds before getting up and skating to the dressing room under his own power along with a trainer. Tavares had two assists Thursday and has seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven games. "John was playing well,” coach Jim Hiller said. “That's a tough one for us just on the heels of (Chris) Tanev (being out) too. Those are two veteran players, so you just have to find a way.“

Carolina Hurricanes

Seth Jarvis did not play in a 3-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, but he could make his season debut at the Calgary Flames on Sunday. The forward has yet to play after having shoulder surgery in June. He led Carolina with 32 goals last season and had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 19 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. "I would hope so," coach Rod Brind'Amour said on Friday about Jarvis playing during the current five-game road trip. "He hasn't been cleared yet, so when he gets that clearance, then we'll see."

Edmonton Oilers

Zach Hyman will be back in the Oilers lineup against the Utah Mammoth on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; Mammoth+, Utah16, SN). The forward missed the previous six games with an undisclosed injury, and hasn't played since their season opener, a 6-5 loss against the Vancouver Canucks on Sept. 29. Forward Colton Dach and defenseman Jake Walman will also return against the Mammoth. Dach has missed the past four games and Walman missed the past three, each with an undisclosed injury. "They're all playing," coach Mike Babcock said. "I'm just going to watch them. If they're good, they're getting to play (more minutes) and if they're not, they're going to play less. It's just so simple, it's not even funny."

San Jose Sharks

Darnell Nurse played for the Sharks against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. The defenseman missed a 3-2 shootout win at the Nashville Predators on Thursday because of an upper-body injury. He has one goal in six games this season and is tied for the Sharks lead with 12 blocked shots.

Florida Panthers

Jacob Markstrom returned from an undisclosed injury and started in goal for the Panthers against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. Markstrom, who is Florida’s No. 1 goalie, exited at the end of the first period of a 5-3 loss at Buffalo on Monday after allowing two goals on 11 shots and was listed as day to day. ... Radko Gudas (undisclosed), who took a hit off his knee in the same game, also skated Saturday but missed his third straight game. Florida coach Paul Maurice said the defenseman could return against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.

Chicago Blackhawks

Bowen Byram (upper body) remains day to day and missed his second straight game for the Blackhawks against the Dallas Stars on Saturday. The defenseman also missed a 4-3 overtime win against the Jets on Thursday. Byram leads the Blackhawks in average ice time per game (24:42) and has one assist in six games this season, his first with Chicago since being acquired in a trade with Buffalo on June 23.

Ottawa Senators

Jake Sanderson could return from a lower-body injury against the Panthers on Wednesday. The defenseman was injured during the Senators' first game of the season, missing the past eight. "I would expect him to probably to play next game. That's the hope," coach Travis Green said Saturday.

Montreal Canadiens

Oliver Kapanen (lower body) made his season debut for the Canadiens against the Sabres on Saturday. The forward, who played on a line with Kirby Dach and Jake Evans, did not have a point in three preseason games before being sidelined. Kapanen has 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 100 regular-season games and one assist in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games. ... David Reinbacher also made his season debut. The defenseman and No. 5 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft was recalled from Laval of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

Washington Capitals

Matt Roy (lower body) missed his sixth straight game for the Capitals on Saturday, a 4-2 win against the New Jersey Devils. The defenseman was a full participant in practice Friday but was not ready to return. ... Center Pierre-Luc Dubois (illness) was placed on injured reserve Saturday and missed his fourth straight game. Coach Spencer Carbery said Dubois is feeling "a little bit better" and is hopeful he can return to practice next week. ... Center Justin Sourdif (illness) also did not play after being unable to practice Friday. ... Washington recalled forward Jonny Brodzinski from Hershey of the AHL, and he was in the lineup Saturday.

Buffalo Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin (upper body) missed his third straight game when the Sabres hosted the Canadiens on Saturday. The defenseman and Buffalo captain appeared to sustain the injury while taking a slap shot early in the second period of a 5-3 win against Florida on Monday. "He's progressing," coach Lindy Ruff said. "He's feeling better today than yesterday, but he won't join us for tomorrow." Dahlin, has two goals and two assists in six games while averaging 23:38 of ice time. ... Forward Jason Zucker has not played all season due to a sports hernia but was on the ice Saturday. Ruff said they are hoping he will make his season debut against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

Dallas Stars

Wyatt Johnston (illness) returned for the Stars against the Blackhawks on Saturday. The forward had missed their previous two games after playing 333 straight to begin his NHL career. “You never want to miss a game. I had a good run,” Johnston said. “I guess it was my first kind of experience doing that, and it's not fun. You want to be out there with your teammates and you want to be playing. It's not ideal, but it kind of is what it is." … Oskar Back will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken finger. The forward, who was placed on injured reserve, left in the first period of a 3-2 shootout win against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. "Hopefully it's a little sooner than that, but I think that's twice now with hand (injuries) with Oskar,” coach Glen Gulutzan said.

Seattle Kraken

Defenseman Brandon Montour (lower body) did not play against the Panthers on Saturday after he left a 4-3 overtime loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Montour has five assists in eight games this season. Defenseman Ty Nelson was recalled from Coachella Valley of the AHL on Friday but did not play.

Winnipeg Jets

Vladislav Namestnikov is week to week for the Jets with an undisclosed injury. The forward did not play against the Blackhawks on Thursday after falling into the boards during the morning skate. He has one assist in six games this season. ... Josh Morrissey (upper body) is also week to week. Winnipeg’s top defenseman, who previously was considered day to day, was injured after a hit on Avalanche forward T.J. Hughes during the first period of a 3-2 win Oct. 7. Morrissey played one shift at the beginning of the second period but then left the game and did not return. Jets coach Scott Arniel said Morrissey, who has three assists in four games this season, will not need surgery.

Los Angeles Kings

Mats Zuccarello is nearing a return for the Kings but will not play against the Boston Bruins on Saturday (9 p.m. ET; ABTV , NESN). The forward will miss his third straight game because of an undisclosed injury but will travel with the team for their five-game road trip, which begins at the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Zuccarello, who signed a one-year contract on July 1, has one assist in three games this season.