NHL Status Report: Matthews misses 5th straight game for Maple Leafs

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

Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews skated Saturday morning missed his fifth straight because of a lower-body injury when the Maple Leafs visited the Montreal Canadiens. The Maple Leafs captain has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 17 games. … Matthew Knies (lower body) also skated Saturday morning but missed his third straight game; the forward has 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 19 games. … Anthony Stolarz has not been on the ice since the goalie sustained an upper-body injury Nov. 11. "Worse than we thought (initially)," Toronto coach Craig Berube said. "... I really don't have a timetable for him."

Nashville Predators

Roman Josi (upper body) returned against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The defenseman and Predators captain missed 12 games after being injured Oct. 23 but returned to practice this week. Josi has five points (one goal, four assists) in eight games this season. He missed the final 25 games of last season and was diagnosed with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PTS), a condition where a change in posture from lying down to standing causes an abnormal increase in heart rate, often accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness and fatigue, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Victor Hedman has been placed on long-term injured reserve, coach Jon Cooper said before Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals. The defenseman had been placed on injured reserve on Thursday, when Cooper said he was "probably a couple of weeks away still" from returning due to an undisclosed injury. Hedman missed his sixth straight game when the Lightning played the Capitals. ... Cooper said Ryan McDonagh will likely resume skating next week, but is probably two weeks away from returning to play. The defenseman missed his sixth straight game with an undisclosed injury on Saturday.

New York Rangers

J.T. Miller (upper body) is day to day and did not play at the Utah Mammoth on Saturday. The forward and Rangers captain scored twice and played 20:33 in a 6-3 loss at the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. "We'll take it as it comes ... he's a tough guy to replace," New York coach Mike Sullivan said. Miller has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 22 games.

Edmonton Oilers

Jake Walman did not play against the Florida Panthers on Saturday. The Oilers defenseman is day to day after he blocked a shot during a 2-1 overtime loss at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said Walman could return next week.

Washington Capitals

Nic Dowd (upper body) participated in the morning skate Saturday but missed his third straight game against the Lightning. The Capitals forward was injured Nov. 17 against the Los Angeles Kings and remains day to day. Dowd has five points (one goal, four assists) in 19 games.

Buffalo Sabres

Zach Benson (lower body) could return against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday (1 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, NHLN, MSG-B, SN1). The Sabres forward has missed their past 10 games, having most recently played Oct. 30. Benson has eight assists in eight games.

Minnesota Wild

Vinnie Hinostroza “is going to be out a little bit,” Wild coach John Hynes said Saturday, and the forward likely will likely be sent back to Minnesota for evaluation. Hinostroza left in the second period after a hit by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves during Minnesota's 5-0 win on Friday. ... Forward Nico Sturm is expected to make his season debut at the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday (4 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN3, FDSNNO, FDSNWI) after recovering from back surgery as the result of an injury sustained during training camp.