NHL Buzz: Stutzle doubtful for Senators' next game

With the 2020-21 season underway, NHL.com will have you covered all season long with the latest news.

Ottawa Senators

Tim Stützle is doubtful for the Ottawa Senators against the Winnipeg Jets at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, TSN3, NHL.TV).
The 19-year-old forward did not practice Wednesday because of an undisclosed injury. Senators coach D.J. Smith said he will be reassessed Thursday.
"He's doubtful at this point, but you never say never," Smith said. "You never know what can happen, but certainly we wouldn't put him in a situation where he could aggravate it. We'll see again in the morning but it's doubtful at this point."
Stützle, the No. 3 selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, missed a 4-3 overtime loss to the Jets in Ottawa on Tuesday.
"It's just been something that's nagging and it really is minor but something that hampers him to not be able to go to be 100 percent," Smith said, "and with a player like that at his age, we're not going to take that risk."
Alex Galchenyuk skated at left wing with center Derek Stepan and right wing Evgenii Dadonov. He replaced Stützle on the line and scored one goal in his Senators debut Tuesday.-- Jon Lane

New York Rangers

Mika Zibanejad is expected to play for the New York Rangers against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Friday despite missing practice with an apparent injury sustained late in a 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
The center lost an edge and fell awkwardly into the corner boards with 2:42 remaining in the third period. He skated slowly and gingerly to the bench and did not return.
Rangers coach David Quinn said Zibanejad had a maintenance day but should be fine moving forward.
Brendan Lemieux also did not practice because of a maintenance day to allow the left wing to recover from a lower-body injury, Quinn said. Lemieux struggled to get up after blocking two shots from Devils defenseman P.K. Subban in the first period. He finished the game.-- Dan Rosen