Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Each day during the regular season, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.
New York Islanders
Adam Pelech returned for the Islanders against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, SNP).
The defenseman missed 20 games with an upper-body injury sustained in the first period of a 5-3 win against the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 24.
Pelech traveled and practiced on the Islanders' recent four-game road trip but was unable to return. He took part in line rushes with defenseman Scott Mayfield at the morning skate.
"He's a solid defensive defenseman and he's certainly going to help with penalty killing and certainly just looking forward to getting him back for his leadership," New York coach Lane Lambert said.
Pelech has three assists in 16 games this season and is averaging 19:38 of ice time per game.
To create a roster spot for Pelech, who was activated off of long-term injury reserve, goalie Semyon Varlamov was added to injured reserve. He has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury. -- Stefen Rosner
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tanner Jeannot will be out indefinitely for the Lightning because of a lower-body injury.
The forward was injured in a 7-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday. He struggled to get back to his feet after taking a hit from forward Trent Frederic in the second period.
He has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 41 games this season, leads Tampa Bay with 61 penalty minutes and is second in the NHL with 132 hits.
"He's getting evaluated," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Tuesday. "I would think he's going to be [week to week]."
The Lightning are already without defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, who was injured blocking a shot with his foot in a 6-1 win against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 19. Originally, Cooper said Sergachev was going to miss a couple of games, but he has not played in eight games since and his return is uncertain.
Sergachev has 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 33 games.
"I wouldn't put any hard fast dates (on their returns)," Cooper said. "They've got some significant injuries. … it's unfortunate, they are all piling up at the same time. It's a tough stretch for us right now."
Tampa Bay received a boost against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; BSSUN, BSW, NHLN, TVAS) with the return of defenseman Erik Cernak from an undisclosed injury sustained against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 31.
"I'm feeling really good," Cernak said. "I can't wait to get back on the ice and help the team." -- Corey Long
Ottawa Senators
Mathieu Joseph will return for the Senators at the Calgary Flames on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET; RDS, SNW, TSN5).
The forward missed 10 games because of a lower-body injury sustained in a 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars on Dec. 15. He has 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 25 games and leads the Senators with a plus-12 rating.
"Getting Joseph back in our lineup, first of all, brings us more speed, brings us a gritty player, a player that's going to go to the net," Ottawa coach Jacques Martin said. "Another hard-working guy and I think it gives us more flexibility."
The Senators were 3-7-0 without Joseph in the lineup.
"He's a great player," forward Parker Kelly said. "He's going to bring back a lot of good defensive plays and he's also been doing really well offensively this year. He's just a guy that plays the right way. It'll be nice to have him back in the lineup."
Joseph is expected to play on a line with Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris against the Flames.
"[The line] brings speed," Martin said. "Josh has good speed but it gives more speed to that line. Brady's strength is in front of the net, close to the net. I think it'll help that line control the puck more in the offensive zone, spend more time in that zone." -- Aaron Vickers
Vegas Golden Knights
Logan Thompson likely will not travel with the Vegas Golden Knights for their game against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday (10 p.m., ET; MAX, TNT, ALT, SN, TVAS).
The goalie did not skate at practice Tuesday because of an illness.
Thompson, who has started five games in a row, is 12-8-3 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 24 games (22 starts) this season.
Adin Hill, who has missed the past eight games with a lower-body injury, could return Wednesday. He is 10-2-2 with a 1.93 GAA and .933 save percentage in 15 games.
"Hill has practiced all week. I believe he'll be cleared to play," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said Tuesday. We'll get that final determination [tomorrow]."
If Hill is unable to play, Jiri Patera will get the start. He has started four games this season, the last coming on Dec. 23. -- Paul Delos Santos
