NHL Buzz: Zegras returns from knee injury for Ducks against Panthers

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Anaheim Ducks

Trevor Zegras returned from a torn meniscus in his right knee against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.

The Ducks forward was injured late in the first period of a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Dec. 4.

"During the process, it's a bit frustrating," Zegras said Monday. "You want to play, you want to get back out there."

Zegras has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 24 games this season. He was limited to 31 games last season because of a groin injury and a broken ankle.

"You hate missing games, (especially) after last season," he said. "I feel good. I feel confident and strong and ready to go."

Zegras practiced on a line Monday with center Leo Carlsson and left wing Alex Killorn. He was also on the second power-play unit.

Anaheim (18-22-6) was not shut out its first 41 games this season but has been held scoreless in three of the past five, including a 3-0 loss at Florida on Saturday, to drop to last in the NHL in goals per game (2.37). -- Dan Arritt

Los Angeles Kings

Drew Doughty practiced with the Kings on Monday for the first time since breaking his left ankle in a preseason game against the Golden Knights on Sept. 25.

The defenseman practiced in a noncontact jersey and participated in three- and four-man drills. He also skated on his own at the other end of the ice while his teammates did special teams work.

“It was awesome,” forward Trevor Moore said. “We missed Drew a lot; I think it’s no secret. His energy, his elite hockey sense is missed on our team, so we’re happy to see him out there.”

Doughty, 35, had 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games last season and finished second in the NHL in time on ice per game (25:48).

It didn’t take long for Doughty to make his presence known, forward Trevor Lewis said.

“He was already hooting and hollering out there the first day back, so it’s great to have him,” Lewis said.

Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller does not know when Doughty will be able to make his season debut.

“You can ask that question. I don’t know when, and that’s the honest answer,” Hiller said. “But I would say this, it’s coming. It’s coming, and it’s hopefully not too far away.”

Alex Laferriere remains out because of an upper-body injury. The forward did not play in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, and Hiller expects Laferriere to miss the home game against the Panthers on Wednesday.

Laferriere is third on the Kings in goals (13) and points (26) and is plus-11 in 41 games.

“I don’t know when he’ll be back,” Hiller said. -- Dan Greenspan

Dallas Stars

Roope Hintz returned to the lineup in a 2-1 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday after missing three games with an upper-body injury. He won seven of eight face-offs in 19:20 of ice time.

Hintz sustained the injury in a collision with Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews on Jan. 14.

"He's healthy. We missed him. We survived it but we're a different team with him out of the lineup," Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. "He's a big part of what we do. Nice to have him back."

Hintz leads Dallas in goals (19) and is tied for fifth in points (27) in 42 games. He also missed a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 27 with an undisclosed injury.

"The days when you tell [players] when they're ready to play are gone," DeBoer said. "I think they're very aware of their own bodies. Honestly a lot of the medical is, once you rule out structural things, it's really on the player. How is he feeling? Is he feeling comfortable to be out there? Obviously, [Hintz] does, so it's great to have him out there." -- Taylor Baird

New York Islanders

Noah Dobson is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

The Islanders defenseman did not practice Tuesday after he was injured from a hit by Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger at 1:14 of the third period in a 3-1 win Monday. Dobson left under his own power but did not return.

"Well, first of all, we have no timetable of [when] he's going to be back," Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. "That's the first thing. Secondly, I mean, you don't replace Noah. He's one of our better defensemen."

Dobson has 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 46 games this season and leads New York with 24:01 of ice time per game.

In Dobson's absence at practice, Alexander Romanov skated with Scott Mayfield, while rookie Isaiah George was paired with Dennis Cholowski.

"We played Romanov with Mayfield, and they play really well," Roy said. "Cholowski and George will play together. We have plenty of confidence in these guys, and we're comfortable with them."

Cholowski also took Dobson's place on the top power-play unit.

Kyle Palmieri (maintenance) did not practice Tuesday, but Roy said there was no concern the forward would miss any games. -- Stefen Rosner

Boston Bruins

Mark Kastelic (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

The forward was injured during the Bruins’ 6-3 win against the San Jose Sharks and did not play in the third period. He had two shots on goal in 7:02 of ice time.

Kastelic, who has 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 45 games this season, did not travel with the team for its game at the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; MSGSN, NHLN, NESN, TVAS-D).

Forwards Max Jones and Patrick Brown were recalled from Providence of the American Hockey League.

Jones, 26, has no points in four NHL games this season, and 11 points (eight goals, three assists) in 26 AHL games.

Brown, 32, has 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 37 AHL games; he was held without a point in the only NHL game he’s played this season, a 7-2 loss at the Dallas Stars on Nov. 14. -- Joe McDonald

Philadelphia Flyers

Ryan Poehling (upper body) was placed on injured reserve by the Flyers on Monday.

The forward was injured on a hit by Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov during the first period of Philadelphia's 5-3 win Jan. 16 and missed a 3-1 victory at the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

Tsyplakov received a three-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety for an illegal check to the head.

"That type of situation with a head injury, there's ups and downs, day to day," coach John Tortorella said. "Haven't checked in with Tommy [Alva, head athletic trainer] today, but I'm not sure what the timetable is. Those things I leave up to Tommy and 'Poehls' and they'll come to me. I think each day he's getting better."

Forward Scott Laughton missed practice Monday. Tortorella said he was unsure if Laughton would be available to play against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, NBCSP, SN1).

The Flyers recalled forward Rodrigo Abols from Lehigh Valley of the AHL on Monday and will make his NHL debut. The 29-year-old had 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 34 AHL games.

"Just keep my game simple," Abols said after practice Monday. "It's a dream come true get an opportunity to play here, so make the most of it and use the strengths that I have and see from there." -- Adam Kimelman