NHL Buzz: Ehlers out at least three games for Jets

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

#

Winnipeg Jets

Nikolaj Ehlers will miss at least the next three games because of a lower-body injury.
The forward will not play at the Nashville Predators on Thursday, at the Boston Bruins on Saturday, or at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
Ehlers was injured when he was kneed by Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov in a 4-3 overtime loss on Tuesday. Orlov was suspended two games by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday,
Ehlers scored 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 34 games.
Jets forward Blake Wheeler, who hasn't played since Dec. 10 because of a knee injury, is nearing a return but is doubtful for Thursday.
"Hopefully sooner than later," he said Wednesday. "I'm going to have to take some contact in practice before getting into a game. I haven't had much bumping, yet, this past week. So until that happens, it's tough to just go right into a game when you haven't been necessarily hit in five weeks."
Wheeler scored 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 22 games. -- Tim Campbell

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins practiced with all their regular players for the first time this season Wednesday.
Forwards Danton Heinen and Zach Aston-Reese, and backup goalie Casey DeSmith practiced after being removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol. The Penguins have no players in the protocol.
The three likely won't play against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ATTSN-PT, TSN5, RDS, ESPN+, NHL LIVE), coach Mike Sullivan said.
"There's competition for every position on our team," Sullivan said. "Everybody, when they come out of this COVID protocol stuff, they all react differently. So we have a lot of interaction with each player, and the players' feedback themselves is a big part of it. When we do insert players into the lineup, we're trying to put them into position to be successful."
Forward Drew O'Connor is the only injured player; he is week to week with an upper-body injury. If healthy, O'Connor would likely be assigned to the taxi squad or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
The Penguins began the season without centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. In addition to injuries to other key players, including forwards Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust and Jason Zucker, Pittsburgh has had a bulk of its lineup enter COVID protocol.
Forward Jeff Carter has entered protocol twice. Crosby, Guentzel and Rust, defensemen Kris Letang and Brian Dumoulin, and goalie Tristan Jarry each was also in protocol earlier this season.-- Wes Crosby

Boston Bruins

Nick Foligno will be a game-time decision when the Bruins host the Washington Capitals on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, TVAS, NHL LIVE).
The forward has missed five games because of a lower-body injury sustained Jan. 8 when Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Cal Foote fell on his leg in a collision around the net.
"Foligno is progressing," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "He felt good today after practice. Let's see how he does. We do have to get 'Fliggy' back up to speed."
Foligno scored six points (one goal, five assists) in 23 games. -- Amalie Benjamin

St. Louis Blues

Pavel Buchnevich was removed from NHL COVID-19 protocol and will return to the lineup for the Blues at the Seattle Kraken on Friday.
Buchnevich, a forward who is tied for second on the Blues with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 34 games, missed two games; he practiced in full Wednesday, skating with usual linemates Vladimir Tarasenko and Ivan Barbashev.
"I think he's good to go," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "I thought he looked fine. We'll get another practice in tomorrow, which will be good. I thought he did a good job today."
Tarasenko and forwards Brayden Schenn and David Perron, along with defenseman Colton Parayko each was removed from COVID-19 protocol Monday and played in a 5-3 win against the Nashville Predators.
Defenseman Scott Perunovich, who has an undisclosed injury, remains day to day but skated prior to practice Wednesday.-- Lou Korac