NHL Status Report: Gauthier out for Ducks against Sharks

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

Anaheim Ducks

Cutter Gauthier has a lower-body injury and will not play for the Ducks at the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET; HBO MAX, truTV, TNT). The forward scored before leaving during the first period of a 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. Gauthier leads Anaheim with 38 goals and 65 points in 73 games.

Ottawa Senators

Carter Yakemchuk left a 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday at 11:26 of the third period after an illegal check to the head by Panthers forward Noah Gregor, who was assessed a five-minute major and match penalty. Senators coach Travis Green did not have an update on the defenseman, who has two points (one goal, one assist) in four games this season.  Ottawa hosts the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; RDS2, TSN5, MSG-B). ... On Wednesday, forward Roger McQueen was signed to an amateur tryout agreement with the Ducks' American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego. McQueen, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year and to the conference’s All-Rookie Team after he had 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games with Providence college.

Florida Panthers

Defensemen Aaron Ekblad, Dmitry Kulikov and Donovan Sebrango all were injured during the Panthers' 6-3 win against the Senators on Tuesday. Ekblad blocked a shot with his hand, and coach Paul Maurice said it "doesn't look good." Kulikov took a deflected puck off the face, and Sebrango blocked a shot with his skate. Florida is likely without forwards Aleksander Barkov (knee), Brad Marchand (lower body), Sam Reinhart (foot), Anton Lundell (ribs), Evan Rodrigues (broken finger) and Jonah Gadjovich (upper body), and defensemen Niko Mikkola (knee) and Uvis Balinskis (fractured foot) for the remainder of the season. The Panthers host the Boston Bruins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NESN, SNO, SNE, SN1).

Columbus Blue Jackets

Zach Aston-Reese was recalled from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Wednesday. The forward has five points (one goal, four assists) in 26 games this season with Columbus, which visits the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, FDSNSO).

Montreal Canadiens

Alexandre Carrier will be out 2-4 weeks because of an upper-body injury. The defenseman played 19:05 in a 3-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.  He has 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 73 games this season. The Canadiens visit the New York Rangers on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MSG, TSN2, RDS).

Washington Capitals

Aliaksei Protas (upper body) is day to day and won't travel for Washington's game at the New Jersey Devils on Thursday (7:30 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+). The forward did not play in a 6-4 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday because of an upper-body injury. He was injured in a collision with former teammate Nic Dowd in the first period of the Capitals' 5-4 shootout win at the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.