NHL Status Report: Blankenburg, Rifai join Maple Leafs' injury list

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

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs' injury list continues to grow, with defensemen Nick Blankenburg (upper body), Marshall Rifai (lower body) and Chris Tanev (upper body) and center John Tavares (lower body) each week to week; Tavares will not travel with Toronto on its upcoming four-game road trip, which begins at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; SNO, SNW, SNP). Rifai and Blankenburg each joined the list Thursday; Rifai left during the morning skate prior to a 5-4 win against the New York Rangers before being placed on the injured list and Blankenburg left after a hit by Rangers forward Will Cuylle. Defensemen Cole McWard and Dakota Mermis each was recalled from Toronto of the American Hockey League on Friday, and forward Dakota Joshua remains on a conditioning stint in the AHL.

Edmonton Oilers

Defenseman Mattias Ekholm is expected to be sidelined 1-2 weeks after being helped off the ice in the opening minute of the third period of a 6-5 shootout win against the Carolina Hurricanes, when his head hit the ice following a check into the boards from Hurricanes forward William Carrier. “Obviously, it didn’t look very pretty, his head slammed on the ice,” Oilers coach Mike Babcock said. "He's a bit of a Viking anyway, so he’ll be OK in a couple of weeks or a week or 10 days or whatever. But someone else gets a chance." The Oilers host the Maple Leafs on Saturday.

San Jose Sharks

Forward Igor Chernyshov is "going to be out here a little bit," Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Thursday; the forward left in the first period of a 6-2 win at the Ottawa Senators after  blocking a slap shot off his left arm by Oilers defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo. Chernyshov was to be re-evaluated Friday. San Jose visits the Boston Bruins on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, NESN).

Florida Panthers

Defenseman Gustav Forsling left after taking a puck to the face late in the third period of a 4-0 loss at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Panthers coach Paul Maurice had no update after the game. Florida plays at the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; CHSN, SCRIPPS, SN, TVAS).

Colorado Avalanche

Logan O'Connor (lower body) is expected to make his season debut for the Avalanche against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday (9 p.m. ET; The Spot, ALT, SN360, TVAS). The forward was placed on long-term injured reserve Sept. 28 and had to miss at least 10 games. … Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said forwards Nicolas Roy (lower body) and Zachary L'Heureux (upper body) each is week to week, but Roy could be closer to a return.