NHL Status Report: Wilson back for Capitals against Golden Knights

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

Washington Capitals

Tom Wilson is expected to return for the Capitals when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MNMT, NHLN, SNP, SNW, TVAS). The forward, who helped Team Canada win the silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, missed a 3-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday because of illness. He leads Washington with 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists) in 50 games. … Defenseman John Carlson will miss his second game because of a lower-body injury he sustained against the Nashville Predators on Feb. 5 during the Capitals' final game before the break. Coach Spencer Carbery said Carlson, who was in a noncontract jersey at the morning skate, remains day to day. "I don't think so," Carbery said when asked if the injury could be something long-term. "Maybe you could say that to this point it's taken a little bit longer, but I don't think there's fear of it becoming anything long-term."

Dallas Stars

Roope Hintz did not practice on Friday due to illness and the forward's status is unknown for when the Stars host the Nashville on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, Victory+). Hintz has 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 52 games this season for the Stars. Forward Radek Faksa, who sustained an upper-body injury while playing for Team Czechia at the Olympics, also did not practice and is day to day. He has 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) in 56 games this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Samuel Girard is being evaluated for a lower-body injury and the defenseman did not practice with the Penguins on Friday. Girard, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche along with a second-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft for defenseman Brett Kulak on Tuesday, logged 17:53 of ice time in his debut with Pittsburgh in a 4-1 win against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. He had 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 40 games with the Avalanche prior to the trade. Penguins coach Dan Muse did not have an update but said Girard will travel for their game at the New York Rangers on Saturday (12:30 p.m. ET; ABC, SNW, TVAS).

St. Louis Blues

Robert Thomas did not practice for the Blues on Friday and remained away from the team on a temporary leave of absence because of a personal matter. The forward has not played since Jan. 10 and had a right leg procedure, which the Blues announced Jan. 31. However, coach Jim Montgomery did not rule out Thomas playing against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday (5 p.m. ET; FDSNMW, MSG). "Potentially. There's no update right now," Montgomery said. "Tomorrow morning or game-time tomorrow when I meet with you guys, there will be." Thomas has 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games.  ...  Forward Mathieu Joseph was assigned to Springfield of the American Hockey League on Friday after he was designated to non-roster on Thursday.

New York Rangers

Tye Kartye was claimed off waivers by the Rangers from the Seattle Kraken on Friday. The 24-year-old forward has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 40 games this season. He has 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 180 games

Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Lekkerimaki had successful surgery for an undisclosed injury on Thursday, and will miss the remainder of the season. The forward will be ready for training camp in September, Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said Friday. The 21-year-old, who last played for the Canucks in a 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 4, has three points (two goals, one assist) in 13 games this season. He also had 20 points (13 goals, seven assists) in 21 games for Abbotsford, the Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate.

San Jose Sharks

Shakir Mukhamadullin did not practice on Friday due to personal reasons, but the defenseman could play when the Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday (4 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, SN). Mukhamadullin has seven points (three goals, four assists) in 26 games for the Sharks this season.