NHL Buzz: Couturier plays for Flyers against Islanders

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2020-21 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Philadelphia Flyers

Sean Couturier returned to the lineup when the Flyers hosted the New York Islanders (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, MSG+, NHL.TV) after missing a 6-0 loss at the Islanders on Saturday because of a lower-body injury.
The center had an MRI on Sunday that revealed an aggravation of an old hip injury. Coach Alain Vigneault said Couturier would take part in the morning skate and a decision on his status would be made after warmup.
"No doubt that 'Coots' is probably our best and most consistent forward at playing the right way, at checking when it's time to check, at making the right plays at the lines, and it's all against tough opposition," Vigneault said. "When he's in our lineup, we're a better team. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but it looks good for tonight."
Couturier has scored 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 18 games. The Flyers are 5-4-2 in 11 games without Couturier this season, 10-7-1 with him in the lineup.
"I don't know what's going on there but I think it was a good sign seeing him out there the whole practice," defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said. "Obviously we need Coots, he's the heart and soul of our team, so I hope he's a go tonight." -- Adam Kimelman

Minnesota Wild

Marcus Johansson will return against the Anaheim Ducks (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, FS-N+, FS-WI+, NHL.TV) after missing 16 games with an upper-body injury.
"I'm very excited. It's been a while," Johansson said Monday. "It's never fun to sit out and not be with the guys. Playing hockey is why we're all here, so I'm very happy to be back. It's been a little frustrating, but it's part of the game, I guess. I'm really excited to be back."
The forward practiced on a line with Joel Eriksson Ek at center and Jordan Greenway at right wing Sunday. The Wild did not hold a morning skate and coach Dean Evason said lines and defenseman pairs will be mixed up.
"We think the people that have been playing have conducted themselves extremely well, but when you can add a player with the experience that [Johansson] has in this League and the way that he plays the game, then obviously it's a positive situation for us," Evason said. -- Jessi Pierce

New York Rangers

Vitali Kravtsov
will practice with the Rangers on Tuesday if the forward clears a cardiac screening that is part of the COVID-19 protocols.
Kravtsov, the No. 9 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, has been in New York in quarantine since March 14 after finishing his season with Traktor Chelyabinsk in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. The 21-year-old scored 24 points (16 goals, eight assists) in 49 games in the KHL this season.
He scored 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 39 games with Hartford of the American Hockey League last season, including 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 34 games after rejoining it on Dec. 17 following a short stint in the KHL.
The Rangers said they expect him to play in the NHL when he's ready, but they don't have a timetable for when that will be.
"We anticipate that he'll be on the ice tomorrow if everything goes well," Rangers acting coach Kris Knoblauch said Monday. "There's going to be some practices and getting him up to game speed, systems and just the speed of the play, but I think he'll be a big benefit for the team in the future."
Knoblauch, Hartford's coach, will serve as the Rangers acting coach for the fourth straight game when they host the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. ET; MSG, MSG-B, NHL.TV) because New York coach David Quinn and assistants Jacques Martin, David Oliver and Greg Brown are unavailable in accordance with NHL COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. Hartford associate coach Gord Murphy and Rangers associate general manager Chris Drury will again serve as the assistants on New York's bench against the Sabres.
There is no timeline for when Quinn and the Rangers' coaching staff may return. -- Dan Rosen

Vancouver Canucks

Travis Boyd was claimed off waivers by the Canucks from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.
The forward scored eight points (three goals, five assists) in 20 games for the Maple Leafs this season. He can be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season after signing a one-year, $700,000 contract with Toronto on Oct. 10.
"It wasn't just the games (against the Canucks)," coach Travis Green said. "I've watched a litle bit of video on him and from what I've seen, I liked him, our scouts have liked him and obviously, (general manager) Jim [Benning] did too. So like I said, it's a good pickup and looking forward to seeing him.
"I'm not quite sure if he's getting in today or tomorrow. Obviously, the sooner the better, with quarantine. He's a player that's a smart player, can play center or wing. Obviously was in an organization in Washington (with the Capitals from 2017-20) where he had a lot of good players ahead of him. I'm looking forward to seeing him here."
Boyd is the second forward claimed by Vancouver from Toronto in the past week. Jimmy Vesey was claimed off waivers by the Canucks on Wednesday.