NHL Status Report: Horvat to return for Islanders against Rangers

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

New York Islanders

Bo Horvat participated in the morning skate and will return from a lower-body injury against the New York Rangers at UBS Arena on Saturday (6 p.m. ET; MSGSN, MSG 2). The center was injured during a 5-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 11. Horvat leads the Islanders in goals (19) and points (31) in 32 games this season and is expected to play on a line with forwards Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman. "I'm feeling good about myself right now and where I'm at," Horvat said. … Ilya Sorokin was placed on injured reserve Saturday, retroactive to Dec. 20; the goalie, who is dealing with a nagging lower-body injury, is 12-10-2 with a 2.55 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and three shutouts in 24 games this season. Marcus Hogberg was recalled from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League under emergency conditions and will serve as the backup for David Rittich against the Rangers.

Buffalo Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin will not play for the Sabres against the Boston Bruins on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NESN, MSG-B). “He’s just attending to his fiancée in Sweden; [he] should be back shortly,” Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. Dahlin’s fiancée, Carolina, had a heart transplant last summer. The Sabres defenseman and captain took a week-long leave of absence last month to be with her. Ruff said they “believe he’ll be back” for Buffalo’s upcoming three-game road trip, which begins at the St. Louis Blues on Monday. Dahlin is third on the team with 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) in 33 games). … Jason Zucker rejoined the Sabres for the morning skate, the first time the forward skated with them since sustaining upper- and lower-body injuries in a 7-4 loss to the Calgary Flames on Dec. 8. Zucker, who has 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 21 games, said he does not have a target date for his return. “I'm going to take it day by day and see where it goes,” he said.

Detroit Red Wings

Patrick Kane (upper body) is questionable to return at the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, FDSNSO). The Red Wings forward, who has missed their past five games, has 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 24 games. He skated with the team at the morning skate prior to a 4-3 overtime win against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday.

Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Foligno could return at Dallas on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; Victory+, CHSN). The Blackhawks captain has been out since Nov. 15, when he injured his left hand blocking a shot by Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe. He has six assists in 15 games this season. ... Forward Landon Slaggert was recalled from Rockford of the AHL.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Brandon Hagel (upper body) participated in the morning skate but will not return against the Florida Panthers on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, SCRIPPS). The Lightning forward has been out since being injured during a 5-2 loss to the Panthers on Dec. 15. Hagel has 31 points (18 goals, 13 assists) and is plus-18 in 32 games. ... Ryan McDonagh aggravared a previous injury and will not play; coach Jon Cooper said the defenseman is day to day. ... Defenseman Erik Cernak also participated in the morning skate; he has been out since Nov. 22 because of an undisclosed injury. ... Tampa Bay recalled defenseman Steven Santini and forward Scott Sabourin from Syracuse of the AHL.

Vancouver Canucks

Elias Pettersson (upper body) could be back against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday (10 p.m. ET; SN1, CITY, SNP, NBCSCA). The center, who hasn’t played since Dec. 5, has 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 28 games.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Brandon Carlo participated in the morning skate with the Maple Leafs but will not return against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; CBC, TVAS, CITY, SNE, SNO, SNP), the first time the defenseman skated with the team since having foot surgery on Dec. 3. Carlo has missed 18 games since Nov. 13; he has two assists in 18 games while averaging 20:04 of ice time. "He's coming along pretty well. He'll be skating here hopefully now and hopefully no setbacks to get him going. … We have to see how he is going forward. Also, he hasn't been in any real practice with the team."