Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.
Toronto Maple Leafs
John Tavares will not play for the Maple Leafs at the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday (9 p.m. ET; NHLN, ALT, SNP, SNW, SNO) following the birth of his son, Tucker. It is Tavares’ fourth child. Tavares, a forward, has three points (one goal, two assists) in Toronto’s first five games (2-2-1). Nick Paul, is expected to slide into Tavares’ top-six role.
New York Islanders
Bo Horvat continues to be evaluated after an illegal check to the head by Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar in the closing moments of a 4-1 win at UBS Arena on Thursday. Horvat, who scored twice in the game, did not return after the infraction at 18:27 of the third period. Nazar received a five-minute match penalty on the play. Horvat was scheduled to be examined by doctors on Friday. The center's status is unknown for the Islanders' next game at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET; The Spot, MSGSN).
Los Angeles Kings
Mats Zuccarello is week to week because of an undisclosed injury. The 39-year-old forward missed the past two days of practice after playing 17:16 in the Kings’ 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. It is unclear if the injury is related to a shoulder injury Zuccarello sustained in a fall prior to the start of training camp. He has one assist in three games after signing a one-year, $1 million contract with the Kings on July 1. Alex Turcotte is day to day because of an undisclosed injury; he has one assist in three games, having been skating as the second-line center to start this season with Quinton Byfield promoted to the Kings’ No. 1 center following the retirement of Anze Kopitar.
Winnipeg Jets
Josh Morrissey is day to day with an upper-body injury, and the defenseman did not play when the Jets lost 5-1 to the Anaheim Ducks at home Friday. He was injured after a hit on Colorado Avalanche forward T.J. Hughes in the first period of a 3-2 win on Wednesday. Morrissey played one shift at the beginning of the second period, but then left the game and did not return. "He felt a little better today," Jets coach Scott Arniel said Friday, "but we've got three days (off) coming here too, so just making sure." Winnipeg next plays Tuesday, when it hosts the Minnesota Wild.
Washington Capitals
Matt Roy remains day to day with a lower-body injury and missed his second straight game when the Capitals defeated the New York Rangers 3-1 at home Friday. The defenseman skated on his own prior to Washington's morning skate. "He's coming along," Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. "I don't think it's getting worse. It's coming along slowly, but still day to day." Roy was injured during a 3-1 loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 3.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Damon Severson had a goal and an assist in his season debut for the Columbus Blue Jackets, a 3-2 shootout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at home Friday. The defenseman had been out with shoulder injury that he had surgery for in April but practiced on the top pair with Zach Werenski on Thursday. "He's got so much skill, he makes so many plays out there," Werenski said. "I feel like he's very easy to read off of and he just makes the play that is available to him." Goalie Cam Talbot made his first start since signing a one-year contract with Columbus on Sept. 14, finishing with 20 saves and stopping all three attempts in the shootout. The Blue Jackets are the 39-year-old's ninth NHL team.
St. Louis Blues
Dillon Dube is doubtful to play because of a neck injury when the Blues host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; CBJHN, BN+, STLNHL, CBJNHL). The forward missed practice Friday after initially injuring himself against the offensive zone boards following a check by San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith in a 3-2 overtime loss on Thursday. "We're just being precautionary, MRIs on his neck ... We haven't gotten the results back yet," St. Louis coach Jim Montgomery said Friday. "I'd say doubtful (for Saturday) but I can't rule him out. He's got a lot of Western Canadian in him. He's going to rub a little dirt on the neck and he'll be fine." Should Dube -- who scored a short-handed goal in the third period for his first goal in the NHL since Nov. 16, 2023 -- not be available, Zach Dean will move into the lineup for St. Louis.
New Jersey Devils
Jonas Siegenthaler practiced Friday and could play against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, SNP, SNO, SNE). The defenseman sustained an undisclosed injury after falling awkwardly at 3:50 of the third period during a 5-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. "I think it's better than originally thought," coach Sheldon Keefe said. Siegenthaler has no points, three blocked shots, and is averaging 18:54 of ice time in three games this season.
Minnesota Wild
Nick Foligno did not play in a 3-2 loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday because of an upper-body injury, coach John Hynes said. The forward left a 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday late in the first period and did not return. He will also miss their game at the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
