NHL Status Report: Dubois returns for Capitals

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

Washington Capitals

Pierre-Luc Dubois returned for the Capitals against the Nashville Predators on Thursday after recovering from surgery to repair injuries to abdominal and adductor muscles. Dubois missed 47 games."It's a lot better than knowing I'm going to be watching from upstairs," Dubois said. "It's been a long time, a lot of work. We have a training staff here that did an amazing job. I'm extremely grateful for them, my teammates and everybody. It's going to be a fun night." … Goalie Logan Thompson also returned after missing four games with an upper-body injury he sustained in a 5-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 27. … Forward Sonny Milano did not play Thursday for personal reasons.

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes (lower body) missed his third straight game when the Devils hosted the New York Islanders on Thursday. The forward, who was named to Team USA's roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, was injured during the first period of a 3-2 overtime win against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 29. New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe was unsure if Hughes skated Wednesday after he shot pucks on his own Tuesday. "Jack is just not improved enough to the point that our medical team will let him get out there, so he's not going to be available for tomorrow," Keefe said after practice. "Based on what they've told me, they're not concerned about [him missing the Olympics]. He's in the day-to-day category." Hughes has 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) in 36 games. ... Nick Bjugstad made his Devils debut on Thursday. The 33-year-old forward was acquired on Wednesday in a trade with the St. Louis Blues for forward Thomas Bordeleau and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. "As a big centerman, I want to play well defensively, be good on face-offs and contribute on that end," Bjugstad said. "If I can chip in offensively a little bit as well and hold onto pucks, that's usually when I'm playing my best."

Pittsburgh Penguins

Rickard Rakell did not play for the Penguins against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday because of a lower-body injury. He is day to day, coach Dan Muse said. Rakell has 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 35 games this season. There was no update on whether the injury would impact his availability for Team Sweden at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. … Forward Noel Acciari also did not play because of an illness.

Buffalo Sabres

Josh Norris did not return against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, but Sabres coach Lindy Ruff "would fully anticipate after the Olympic break he'll be good." The forward has missed 12 games because of an upper-body injury. ... Zach Benson (upper body) will miss his second straight game but Ruff expects the forward to return after the break. ... Jordan Greenway missed his seventh straight game because of a middle-body injury, and Ruff said the team has not ruled out surgery for the forward.

Los Angeles Kings

Mikey Anderson did not play against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday and it is unclear if he will play at the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; FDSNW, SCRIPPS, SNE, TVAS). The defenseman is day to day with an upper-body injury he sustained during a 3-2 overtime loss at the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. Anderson, who has nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 54 games this season, was injured on his first shift from a check by Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook, who received a boarding penalty.