NHL Buzz: Kucherov misses Lightning loss because of illness

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Tampa Bay Lightning

Nikita Kucherov did not play for the Lightning in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday because of an illness.

The forward did not take part in the morning skate after missing the third period of Tampa Bay's 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

"He's been like everybody. It seems like something's been going around the team," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said before the game. "He's just the next one to get it."

Kucherov is third in the NHL with 92 points (28 goals, 64 assists) in 61 games this season.

The Lightning recalled forward Cam Atkinson from Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. Atkinson scored in the loss to the Flyers. -- Adam Kimelman

Toronto Maple Leafs

Chris Tanev returned for the Maple Leafs in a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

The defenseman, who was activated from injured reserve, had missed the previous six games after sustaining an upper-body injury in a 5-4 overtime win against the Boston Bruins on February 25.

"When I had Chris Pronger, how much he can control a game, and he controlled in a different way than Tanev, but he controls a lot of the game for us in situational play," Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said.

Tanev said he has been pleased with the progress in his recovery.

"Feeling good," Tanev said on Wednesday. "Just progressing day by day on the timeline that was given to us. Just trying to get better every day. There was a timeline given to us, so I'm just trying to check the boxes and when that's there, hopefully I'll be playing." -- Dave McCarthy

Dallas Stars

Roope Hintz could return against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, Stars coach Pete DeBoer said.

The forward has missed the past two games after he was hit in the face by a deflected puck during a 5-4 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

"He looks pretty good," DeBoer said after practice on Wednesday. "He can't get his heart rate up because of the blood flow for I think it was five days from the time of the injury. But I think once we clear that five-day hurdle, I would think he looks pretty good.

"I would call him possible for Sunday."

Hintz has 52 points (25 goals, 27 assists) and is plus-13 in 59 games this season.

Carolina Hurricanes

Dmitry Orlov could return to the lineup for the Hurricanes against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, FDSNSO, SNP, SNE).

The defenseman has missed three games with an upper-body injury. He has 24 points (four goals, 20 assists) in 62 games this season.

"'Orly' practiced today, so I think he has a better chance to play," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said Thursday.

Forward Andrei Svechnikov (undisclosed) is doubtful to play against the Red Wings. He has 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 63 games this season.

"He was out there in street clothes today," Brind'Amour said. "Says he's feeling better, but obviously he's not ready to go. … I doubt (he plays)."