NHL Buzz: Hintz returns for Stars against Avalanche

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Dallas Stars

Roope Hintz returned for the Stars for a 4-3 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.

Hintz, who was a full participant at practice Saturday, had missed two games after taking a puck to the face during a 5-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on March 8. He centered a line with Jason Robertson on the left side and Mikko Rantanen on the right, finishing with one assist in 17:34 of ice time.

Hintz has 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) in 60 games this season.

“The more time they can get together, the more chance they have at developing [chemistry],” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said of Hintz and Rantanen. “And with 'Roop' being out, we haven't had much of a chance at that yet.” -- Ryan Boulding

New York Islanders

Mike Reilly returned against the Florida Panthers on Sunday.

The 31-year-old defenseman had been out of the lineup since Nov. 1, when he sustained a concussion against the Buffalo Sabres. Doctors then discovered a heart defect, which led to a procedure on Nov. 19.

Reilly, who returned to practice on Feb. 23, does not have a point in 11 games this season after signing a one-year contract July 1, 2024.

“I'm so excited. It's been a long, long time,” Reilly said. “A lot of work was put into it with the hope of coming back this season. So, I’m excited just to be back with the guys here and ready to go tonight.”

Adam Pelech is day to day after the defenseman blocked a shot from Evan Bouchard with his right ankle in overtime in a 2-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Pelech, who has 17 assists and is averaging 21:17 of ice time in 45 games, did not participate in the morning skate Sunday.

Adam Boqvist, who sustained an upper-body injury against the Los Angeles Kings on March 11, skated on Sunday in a noncontact jersey. The defenseman has five points (two goals, three assists) in 12 games for the Islanders since being claimed off waivers from the Panthers on Jan. 31. -- Stefen Rosner

Colorado Avalanche

Josh Manson did not play in a 4-3 overtime win against the Stars on Sunday because of an upper-body injury.

The 33-year-old defenseman, who has 15 points (one goal, 14 assists) in 48 games this season, was not on the ice for warmups. Manson previously missed 12 games from Nov. 30-Dec. 22 with an upper-body injury, and seven games from Feb. 6-March 4 with a lower-body injury.

Sam Malinski moved up to Manson’s spot alongside Ryan Lindgren on the second defense pair. -- Ryan Boulding

Buffalo Sabres

JJ Peterka skated on his own Sunday and has not been ruled for the start of a four-game road trip at the Boston Bruins on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NESN, MSG-B, TVAS).

The forward missed his second straight game Saturday, a 4-3 shootout win against the Vegas Golden Knights, because of a lingering lower-body injury.

“I think it's possible but based on he only skated this morning, so I guess we'll just weigh how that goes,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Sunday.

Peterka has 51 points (19 goals, 32 assists) in 61 games.

Josh Norris (undisclosed) had off-ice treatment Sunday and could travel with the Sabres after he did not play Saturday.

The center, acquired by Buffalo from the Ottawa Senators before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 7, did not practice Friday and did not take part in warmups Saturday.

The injury is "something he's been dealing with," according to Ruff.

“If everything went well today with the off-ice treatment, he'll be making the trip,” the coach said.

Norris scored his first goal with Buffalo in a 7-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday and has two points in three games since the trade.

He has 35 points (21 goals, 14 assists) in 56 games with the Sabres and Senators.

Jiri Kulich (concussion protocol) will not travel after the forward was injured in the second period Saturday on a hit from Brett Howden. Kulich has 19 points (12 goals, seven assists) in 49 games. -- Heather Engel

Utah Hockey Club

Liam O'Brien will miss four weeks with a lower-body injury.

The forward was injured in the third period of a 4-2 loss at the Seattle Kraken on Friday and returned to Utah for further evaluation.

"[O'Brien] is an important part of our team," coach Andre Tourigny said. "We’ve had an injury before, so it’s just next man up. It’s unfortunate. We’re thinking about him, but at the same time, we’re moving on."

O’Brien has two assists in 27 games this season. -- Matt Komma

Minnesota Wild

Jonas Brodin skated with the Wild on Saturday morning but did not play in a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

The defenseman, who last played Feb. 28, has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) and has been limited to 38 games because of three separate injuries.

"I would say progressing in a positive manner," coach John Hynes said. "It's his third skate with the team. Today was kind of a big day like, 'OK, how does he respond three days in a row?' Little bit less of a load today than he's had the last couple of days so it's still progressing, but there still needs to be some time to respond to it after each day."

In addition to Brodin, Minnesota remains without forwards Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) and Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body). Kaprizov has missed the past 16 games; Eriksson Ek has missed the past nine.

Neither forward has resumed skating yet.

Minnesota (37-25-5), which holds the first wild card in the Western Conference, hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Monday (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWI, FDSNNO, FDSNW). -- Jessi Pierce