NHL Status Report: Vladar starts for Flyers against Blue Jackets

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

Philadelphia Flyers

Dan Vladar started for the Flyers and made 26 saves in a 5-3 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday after missing six games because of a lower-body injury. The goalie will represent Team Czechia at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Miles Wood and Denton Mateychuk were activated off injured reserve by the Blue Jackets and returned in a 5-3 win against the Flyers on Wednesday. Wood, a forward, missed 12 games because of a lower-body injury and played 7:30 in his return. Mateychuk, a defenseman, missed six games because of an upper-body injury and played 16:57 with two shots on goal in his return. ... Forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Brendan Gaunce cleared waivers and were reassigned to Cleveland of the American Hockey League.

New York Islanders

Ondrej Palat and Carson Soucy made their Islanders debuts in a 5-2 win against the New York Rangers on Wednesday. Palat, a forward, was acquired Tuesday in a trade with the New Jersey Devils for forward Maxim Tsyplakov and two NHL Draft picks. He had a goal and an assist in the win. Palat, who will play for Team Czechia at the Olympics, has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 52 games this season. Soucy, a defenseman who was acquired in a trade with the Rangers on Monday, has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 47 games this season after playing 15:49 with two shots on goal in his Islander debut. … Ryan Pulock (upper body) returned to the lineup after missing two games and played 19:53 with one shot on goal.

Anaheim Ducks

Troy Terry could return for the Ducks against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, KCOP-13, Victory+). The forward has missed 10 games with an upper-body injury. He has 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 43 games this season. Terry was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. "He came out here knowing that he had a chance to play, and after watching his practice ... he felt way better than he thought," Ducks coach Joel Quenneville said. "See how he comes out of today, but there's a chance to play tomorrow night."

Tampa Bay Lightning

Ryan McDonagh (lower body) practiced Wednesday and could return against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; The Spot, TSN3). The defenseman has not played since Dec. 22, a 4-1 win against the St. Louis Blues. McDonagh had eight points (four goals, four assists) in 18 games and was averaging 20 minutes of ice time prior to the injury. ... Victor Hedman (elbow) practiced in a noncontact jersey; the Lightning defenseman and captain, who is on Team Sweden's roster for the Olympics, has been out since Dec. 9. He has 12 assists in 18 games and was averaging 21:05 of ice time.

St. Louis Blues

Forwards Jordan Kyrou (upper body) and Jake Neighbours (lower body) are each day to day for the Blues. Kyrou left after the first period of a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday after blocking an Esa Lindell shot midway through the period. Neighbours left after the second period. "I don't know if they're players (against the Florida Panthers on Thursday), but it's good news," coach Jim Montgomery told the Blues website. "It's not going to be long."

Vancouver Canucks

Zeev Buium could have surgery for a broken bone in his cheek and likely will be out until after the Olympic break, Canucks coach Adam Foote said Tuesday. The defenseman was hit in the face with a puck during the first period of a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday but returned to finish the game with a full cage on his helmet. Buium has 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 51 games, including six points (two goals, four assists) in 20 games since being acquired in the trade that sent defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild on Dec. 12. Buium and forward Brock Boeser were placed on injured reserve Monday. Boeser was hit at the end of the third period by Pittsburgh forward Bryan Rust, who was suspended three games by the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday for an illegal check to the head. Boeser has 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 50 games this season. Forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki and defenseman Victor Mancini were recalled from Abbotsford of the AHL.

Colorado Avalanche

Devon Toews missed his 11th straight game for the Avalanche when they lost 4-2 against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. The defenseman, who is on Team Canada’s roster for the Olympics, has 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) and is plus-26 in 40 games this season. … Ross Colton (lower body) missed his third straight game. He has 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 48 games this season.