NHL Buzz: Dvorak out indefinitely for Canadiens with lower-body injury

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

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Montreal Canadiens

Christian Dvorak is out indefinitely for the Canadiens because of a lower-body injury.
The forward has missed three games since he was injured in a 3-2 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 7. He scored 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 27 games.
Forward Brendan Gallagher and defenseman Sami Niku were removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol Wednesday but did not practice with the main group. They are expected to rejoin the team later in the week. Each has missed six games.
The Canadiens host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

Detroit Red Wings

Forwards Robby Fabbri and Michael Rasmussen were added to NHL COVID-19 protocol.
Fabbri has scored 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 29 games; Rasmussen has scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 29 games.
The Red Wings visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

Nashville Predators

The Predators placed six players, four coaches and two members of their traveling party in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
Forwards Mikael Granlund, Ryan Johansen, Matt Luff, Michael McCarron and Philip Tomasino, and defensemen Ben Harpur were placed in protocol, along with coach John Hynes, assistants Dan Lambert and Todd Richards, and goaltending coach Ben Vanderklok.
The Predators are scheduled to host the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday.

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Florida Panthers

Forwards Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe and Ryan Lomberg, and defensemen Radko Gudas and Brandon Montour were placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol.
The five players will not play against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
A member of the Panthers travel party was also placed in protocol.

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Tampa Bay Lightning

Brayden Point could return to the lineup before Christmas, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.
"That would be a Christmas present if that was the case," Cooper said Tuesday of the center, who has missed 11 games with an upper-body injury sustained against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 20. "That would be big."
Point and forward Nikita Kucherov each took part in drills during an optional morning skate prior to Tampa Bay defeating the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday.
Kucherov (lower body) hasn't played since Oct. 16 and had a procedure 10 days later. He's in the eighth week of a projected 8-10 week recovery.
Defenseman Erik Cernak (lower body) has missed four games.
"Cernak will be a little longer," Cooper said. "I know I don't have any definitive dates. Definitely not before Christmas."
Center Anthony Cirelli (upper body) and defenseman Zach Bogosian (lower body) played Tuesday after each was a scratch for a 4-0 loss at the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.-- Corey Long