NHL Buzz: Hintz game-time decision for Stars against Sabres

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Dallas Stars

Roope Hintz is a game-time decision against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday (8:30 p.m. ET; BSSW, MSG-B, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The forward has missed seven games since sustaining an upper-body injury against the Florida Panthers on Jan. 8. He participated in an optional morning skate Monday, including working on the top power-play unit. He was also on the ice for practice Sunday and participated in the morning skate Saturday but did not play in a 4-0 win against the Arizona Coyotes.
"He's been skating, he's a game-time decision," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. "Until you get the green light, I can't tell you he's in, I can't tell you who is playing. There's no sense of going down any of those roads. We don't know."
Hintz has 19 goals, second on the Stars behind Jason Robertson (31), and is third on the team with 44 points, behind Robertson (64) and Joe Pavelski (45).
If he returns, it's expected he'll go back to his regular spot on the top line between Robertson and Pavelski.
"There's a process there, there's a bunch of layers to [him returning]," DeBoer said. "We obviously want him in there." -- Heather Engel

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Chicago Blackhawks

Tyler Johnson was placed on injured reserve Monday after reaggravating a left ankle injury.
The forward did not return after the first period of Chicago's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at United Center on Sunday. He left the arena wearing a walking boot on his left foot.
"I'm not sure what happened tonight," Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson said Sunday. "I think last night, even at the end of the game [against the St. Louis Blues] he did something and today just a little bit worse. Before it gets too [much] worse, we thought that was it for today and make sure we get it checked out properly and take whatever course we have to for him."
Johnson was out from Oct. 26-Dec. 13 after injuring his left ankle when the Blackhawks defeated the Florida Panthers 4-2 on Oct. 25. He has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 22 games this season.
Defenseman Isaak Phillips was assigned to Rockford of the American Hockey League defenseman Filip Roos and forward Luke Philp were recalled from Rockford.
The Blackhawks visit the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNP, NBCSCH, ESPN+). -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

St. Louis Blues

Forward Vladimir Tarasenko and defenseman Torey Krug each could return for the Blues when they conclude a season-long seven-game homestand Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres (8 p.m. ET; BSMW, MSG-B, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Tarasenko injured his right hand blocking a shot by Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba in the first period of a 5-2 loss on Dec. 31, and Krug was injured blocking a William Karlsson shot in the closing minute of overtime in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 23.
Each practiced again Monday and skated on regular lines and defensive pairs, along with practicing on the top power-play unit.
Tarasenko, who has missed 10 games, was on a line with Brayden Schenn and Ivan Barbashev. Krug, who has missed 13 games, was paired with Tyler Tucker.
"I don't know yet, but I think so," coach Craig Berube said when asked if each was ready. "They practiced today in full again, which is good. Get 'Kruger' in there getting another (practice), 'Vladi's been with us. They both seem good. Kind of wait and see."
Forward Pavel Buchnevich did not practice Monday and is questionable Tuesday due to a lingering lower-body injury.
"Not sure yet," Berube said of Buchnevich's availability. "I will not know until later (Monday). It's an issue from before."
Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, who has missed seven games with a lower-body injury, was a full participant in practice but not ready to return.
"Getting close," Berube said. "I don't think he's too far away. He participated today, full practice. I don't see any issues with it right now, but I think he needs more practice though." -- Lou Korac

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Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin returned to practice Monday and remains day to day with a lower-body injury.
"I thought he looked good but he's still day to day," coach Peter Laviolette said. "It was good to see him out there. He looked good. He was moving well."
The Capitals visit the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; SN1, ALT, NBCSWA, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Ovechkin had two shots in 17:54 of ice time in the Capitals' 4-0 win at the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday but did not play in a 6-2 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
The forward has 52 points in 48 games and is tied for sixth in the NHL with 30 goals. -- Harvey Valentine

Toronto Maple Leafs

TJ Brodie was a full participant at the Maple Leafs morning skate on Monday prior to their game against the New York Islanders.
It was the first time he was a full participant in a practice or morning skate since sustaining a rib injury in a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 7, though he skated on an extra pairing with Jordie Benn and will not play against the Islanders nor the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
"(He's progressing) well," Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe said. "Today is the day he got the most work in so we are looking to ramp him up throughout the week and go from there. He won't be available tonight or Wednesday and then we will see where he is at later in the week and then make a decision. Obviously, he's going to have to be feeling really good for it to make sense for us to play him before the (All-Star) break but he is ramping up towards being available before the break."
Toronto began a five-game homestand Monday that will conclude Feb. 1 against the Boston Bruins.
Brodie, who has eight points (two goals, six assists) in 28 games, missed 12 games earlier this season after sustaining on oblique injury Nov 11 in a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. -- Dave McCarthy

New York Islanders

Cal Clutterbuck was placed on injured reserve and is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury.
The forward left in the second period of a 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
Clutterbuck has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 34 games this season and is second on the Islanders in hits (130), behind linemate Matt Martin (172).
Defenseman Adam Pelech and forward Kyle Palmieri were activated off injured reserve, and defenseman Samuel Bolduc was recalled from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League and made his NHL debut Monday when the Islanders visited the Toronto Maple Leafs. -- Denis P. Gorman