NHL Status Report: Kindel to return for Penguins against Mammoth

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

Pittsburgh Penguins 

Ben Kindel will return for the Penguins against the Utah Mammoth on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; Mammoth+, Utah16, SN-PIT, SN, TVAS), nine days after collapsing while aboard the Penguins team plane. On Oct. 20, the 19-year-old forward fainted due to a vasovagal episode, a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure that reduces blood flow to the brain, one day after playing 18:53 in a 5-4 loss at the Mammoth. Kindel has received testing and treatment since being cleared to travel to Pittsburgh on Oct. 21 and was a full participant in the past two practices. ... Forward Evgeni Malkin (illness) is expected to play after missing a 3-2 overtime win against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. He would be right wing on the second line with Kindel at center and left wing Egor Chinakhov, who will return from missing the past two games with a lower-body injury. "Everything is looking good (on Kindel, Malkin and Chinakhov)," Penguins coach Dan Muse said. "So, expecting them in." ... Defenseman Samuel Girard (lower body) will be a game-time decision after being out the previous three games.

Carolina Hurricanes

Taylor Hall is expected to miss "probably another couple games" with an upper-body injury, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said Thursday. Hall did not play in a 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday after leaving the morning skate early. He had practiced on a line with Jordan Martinook and Seth Jarvis on Monday and was anticipating a return to the lineup after missing the previous five games with an unrelated upper-body injury. Hall has five points (three goals, two assists) in eight games this season.

Edmonton Oilers

Zach Hyman was placed on injured reserve by the Oilers because of a neck injury and did not play in a 4-0 win against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. Edmonton coach Mike Babcock said the forward sustained the injury when he was hit into the boards by Detroit Red Wings defenseman Andreas Englund at 7:36 of the second period of a 4-3 shootout loss Monday. "We're just being extra cautious," Babcock said. "Originally when you see it, you think maybe it's a head thing and then you find out it's a neck thing and that's a real good thing for you." Hyman has one goal in six games this season. He missed six games because of an undisclosed injury sustained in Edmonton's season opener on Sept. 29.

Dallas Stars

Kyle Capobianco will be out four weeks for the Stars with a lower-body injury. The defenseman left a 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday at 4:47 of the third period following a collision with Timo Meier. ... Forward Sam Steel will return against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; Prime Video, TSN2, RDS). He has missed two games with an undisclosed injury.

Vegas Golden Knights

Carter Hart was injured during the Golden Knights' morning skate on Tuesday and did not play in a 4-1 win against the Ottawa Senators. The goalie fell before limping off the ice. Coach Ryan Craig said Hart was being evaluated. Adin Hill started and Cameron Whitehead served as the backup. Hart is 4-3-1 with a 2.76 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in eight games this season. "(Hart is) in good hands," Craig said. "We got a plan here moving forward either way." Vegas next hosts the New Jersey Devils on Friday (6 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MSGSN, NHLN, SN+).