NHL Status Report: Cirelli game-time decision for Lightning

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

Tampa Bay Lightning

Anthony Cirelli will be a game-time decision for the Lightning against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, MSG-B). The center has missed four games with a lower-body injury he sustained in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1. The injury also caused Cirelli to miss the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 after he was named to Team Canada. Cirelli has 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists) in 49 games this season.

New York Rangers

Tye Kartye made his debut for the Rangers against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Kartye began the game on the third line with Noah Laba and Brendan Brisson. The 24-year-old forward was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Friday. He has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 40 games this season and 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 180 NHL games over three seasons.

St. Louis Blues

Robert Thomas did not practice for the Blues on Friday and remained away from the team on a temporary leave of absence because of a personal matter. The forward has not played since Jan. 10 and had a right leg procedure, which the Blues announced Jan. 31. However, coach Jim Montgomery did not rule out Thomas playing against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday (5 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, MSG). "Potentially. There's no update right now," Montgomery said Friday. "Tomorrow morning or game-time tomorrow when I meet with you guys, there will be." Thomas has 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games.  ...  Forward Mathieu Joseph was assigned to Springfield of the American Hockey League on Friday after he was designated to non-roster on Thursday.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Samuel Girard was in the lineup for the Penguins at the New York Rangers on Saturday. The defenseman did not practice Friday and was being evaluated for a lower-body injury. Girard, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche along with a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft for defenseman Brett Kulak on Tuesday, logged 17:53 of ice time in his debut with Pittsburgh in a 4-1 win against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. He had 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 40 games with the Avalanche prior to the trade.

Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Lekkerimaki had successful surgery for an undisclosed injury on Thursday, and will miss the remainder of the season. The forward will be ready for training camp in September, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said Friday. The 21-year-old, who last played for the Canucks in a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 4, has three points (two goals, one assist) in 13 games this season. He also had 20 points (13 goals, seven assists) in 21 games for Abbotsford, the Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate.