NHL Status Report: Sanderson game-time decision for Senators against Wild

Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.

Ottawa Senators

Jake Sanderson will be a game-time decision against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN5, FDSNNO, FDSNWIX). The Senators defenseman has not played since March 7 because of an upper-body injury. He has 48 points (11 goals, 37 assists) in 62 games and leads Ottawa in time on ice per game (24:49). Ottawa coach Travis Green said either Sanderson or Jorian Donovan, who was recalled from Belleville of the American Hockey League, would replace Tyler Kleven, who is unavailable after the defenseman sustained an upper-body injury in the first period of a 4-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday. Kleven has 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 70 games while averaging 17:21 of ice time.

Anaheim Ducks

Cutter Gauthier could miss his third straight game for the Ducks when they host the Calgary Flames on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; KTTN, Victory+, CITY, SN1). The forward, who leads Anaheim with 38 goals and 65 points in 73 games, was injured in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. He has since missed losses at the San Jose Sharks (4-3 on Wednesday) and to the St. Louis Blues (6-2 on Friday). The Ducks were also without defensemen Radko Gudas and Pavel Mintyukov on Friday because of lower-body injuries. "They're making a little progress,” coach Joel Quenneville said before the game. “Cutter is moving better today. Tomorrow, he'd be questionable at best."

Columbus Blue Jackets

Damon Severson had shoulder surgery Friday and will be out for the remainder of the season. The defenseman had 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 71 games, averaging 21:04 of ice time per game. He left in the third period of a 2-1 loss at the Montreal Canadiens on March 26 after taking a check from Zachary Bolduc. Forward Mathieu Olivier (upper body) has also previously been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season; he had 26 points (15 goals, 11 assists) in 61 games. Columbus hosts the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, SNW).

Washington Capitals

Aliaksei Protas (upper body) participated in the morning skate and will return against the Sabres on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, MSG-B). The Capitals forward did not travel with them for a 7-3 loss at the New Jersey Devils on Thursday after missing a 6-4 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Protas was injured in a collision with former teammate Nic Dowd in the first period of a 5-4 shootout win at the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. He has 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 70 games this season. "I'm feeling great," Protas said. "I don't think it's been bad; it's more like the fact that I needed to stay off (the ice) a little bit, so now I'm feeling good." ... Ethen Frank will play for the first time since March 22, when the forward sustained a lower-body injury. Frank, who has 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists), was scratched the past two games despite being healthy enough to be in the lineup.

Detroit Red Wings

Justin Faulk (lower body) did not play at the New York Rangers on Saturday after the Red Wings defenseman was injured during a 4-2 win at Philadelphia on Thursday, leaving the game in the second period. Axel Sandin-Pellikka replaced Faulk, who has three points (one goal, two assists) in 12 games since being acquired from St. Louis in a trade on March 6. Sandin-Pellikka was recalled from Grand Rapids of the AHL on an emergency basis before the game.

Buffalo Sabres

Sam Carrick is week to week because of a left arm injury, but he has not been ruled out for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Thursday. The forward was injured in a fight with New York Islanders captain Anders Lee in the third period of a 4-3 win on Tuesday and did not play in a 4-1 loss at Ottawa on Thursday. He has 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) in 73 games this season, including five goals and one assist in 13 games with Buffalo since he was acquired in a trade with the Rangers on March 6. The Sabres visit the Capitals on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, MSG-B).

Toronto Maple Leafs

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is doubtful to play against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday (7 pm. ET; FDSNSC, SNO, CBC). The Maple Leafs defenseman was injured in a 4-1 loss at San Jose on Thursday, playing just 7:03. Ekman-Larsson has 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 73 games.