NHL Status Report: Doughty to return for Kings against Blackhawks

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

Los Angeles Kings

Drew Doughty will return from a lower-body injury for the Kings against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+). The defenseman, who has been week to week since blocking a shot in the second period of a 1-0 win against the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 15, has missed the past seven games. He took part in practice Wednesday in a regular jersey and at the morning skate Thursday. "I feel good. I'm ready to go," Doughty said. "I didn't lose my cardio and we had lots of individual work to get that back to where it was before. I feel good." ... Warren Foegele (upper body) is also expected to play. The forward has missed three straight games.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Kirill Marchenko returned to the lineup for the Blue Jackets against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. The forward had missed four games since sustaining a lower-body injury during the morning skate on Nov. 24. He is second on the team with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 22 games. … Boone Jenner is nearing a return, but Columbus' captain missed his 11th straight game Thursday because of an upper-body injury. He has not played since Nov. 11.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Andrei Vasilevskiy was scratched from his scheduled start against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, but the goalie is expected to play at the New York Islanders on Saturday. Coach Jon Cooper said it was "nothing serious." Jonas Johansson started against the Penguins and Brandon Halverson, who was recalled from Syracuse of the American Hockey League, was the backup.

Anaheim Ducks

Petr Mrazek will be out 2-3 weeks for the Ducks with a lower-body injury. The goalie made 13 saves on 16 shots before leaving in the third period of a 5-3 loss at the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. Anaheim is also without starting goalie Lukas Dostal, who has an upper-body injury and is expected to miss another 1-2 weeks. He has not played since Nov. 22. Ville Husso started in a 7-0 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday and allowed four goals on 21 shots before being replaced by Vyacheslav Buteyets (three goals on 13 shots).

Vancouver Canucks

Thatcher Demko and Nils Hoglander could each return for the Canucks as early as next Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Demko, a goalie, has missed nine straight games and 11 of the past 12 with a lower-body injury. He skated with the team at practice Thursday for first time since he last played on Nov. 11 but wasn’t full participant. "Buffalo is probably not out of reach, but if that changes, don't be mad at me," Canucks coach Adam Foote said Thursday. "... I think Buffalo is realistic." Hoglander, a forward, has not played this season after sustaining a lower-body injury in training camp. He "needs a few practices" before making his season debut, but could also return against Buffalo.

Philadelphia Flyers

Cam York is day to day because of an upper-body injury. The defenseman left a 5-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday with 3:10 remaining in the second period. Coach Rick Tocchet said after the game he believed the injury occurred during a scrum behind Philadelphia's net. "He got hit behind the net or something," Tocchet said. "We're trying to look for it, but I think he got hit behind the net a little bit late." York has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 23 games and his average ice time of 23:31 is second for the Flyers. Philadelphia next plays the Colorado Avalanche at home on Sunday.

San Jose Sharks

Jeff Skinner is expected to return for the Sharks against the Dallas Stars on Friday (8 p.m. ET; Victory+, NBCSCA). The forward, who has missed 10 games with a lower-body injury, has seven points (four goals, three assists) in 17 games. Forward Pavol Regenda was reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate, on Thursday.