NHL Status Report: Nichushkin returns for Avalanche against Ducks

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

Colorado Avalanche

Valeri Nichushkin was back in the lineup against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The forward missed the Avalanche's 5-2 win against the Washington Capitals on Monday after he sustained an upper-body injury in a car accident on his way to Ball Arena in Denver. "He had some minor injuries," coach Jared Bednar said after the game. "Came to the rink, got checked out and everything seems to be OK." Nichushkin has 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games this season.

Washington Capitals

Tom Wilson returned to the lineup for the Capitals against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. The forward, who leads the team in goals (22) and is tied for the team lead in points (42), had missed eight games with a lower-body injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Kris Letang (upper body) did not play against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. The defenseman did not practice with the Penguins on Tuesday and is day to day. Letang played 21:58 and was plus-3 in a 6-3 win at the Seattle Kraken on Monday. Letang has 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) in 48 games this season. ... Defenseman Erik Karlsson (lower body) practiced in a regular jersey Tuesday but did not return on Wednesday; he was placed on injured reserve Jan. 13, when it was announced he would be out at least two weeks. Karlsson, who will play for Team Sweden at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 next month, has 33 points (four goals, 29 assists) in 44 games. "He's progressing," Pittsburgh coach Dan Muse said on Tuesday.

Florida Panthers

Brad Marchand is questionable to return for the Panthers against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, SCRIPPS). The forward has missed Florida's past six games with an undisclosed injury. He is second on the Panthers with 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) in 46 games this season. "He's certainly close," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday. "Day to day. Whether it happens on this road trip, we don't know yet." Florida plays at the Minnesota Wild on Saturday and the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. ... Defenseman Niko Mikkola is expected to play after he left a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday in the second period with an undisclosed injury.

Vancouver Canucks

Teddy Blueger returned to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 19 when the Canucks hosted the Washington Capitals on Wednesday. The forward has been out with a lower body-injury and has one goal in two games this season. "It's always nice to see a guy like that come back," coach Adam Foote said. "It seems like he's got the zip. ... there's definitely no doubt that I think he think's he is ready."

Calgary Flames

Martin Pospisil made his season debut for the Flames against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. The forward sustained an undisclosed injury in a preseason game on Oct. 1. He centered a line with Adam Klapka and Ryan Lomberg at practice on Tuesday. "It's a long path for him and he went down [to the AHL] and played a few games for the Wranglers and had a bunch of practices with them while we were on the road so I know he's excited and I know he's going to bring a great deal of energy to our game tonight," Flames coach Ryan Huska said. Pospisil had 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 81 games last season.

Chicago Blackhawks

Frank Nazar is expected to return for the Blackhawks against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN1) after missing the past 14 games with a facial injury. Nazar has been out since taking a puck to the face in the first period of a 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 20. He has 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 33 games. … Forward Andre Burakovsky, who missed a 2-0 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday due to illness, will also return Thursday. … Forward Teuvo Teravainen (upper body) will miss his fourth straight game Thursday. "It's still a day-to-day thing," Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill said. "He's not going to travel so he's not playing [Thursday] but after that I would take it as day by day." Teravainen has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 45 games.

Carolina Hurricanes

Eric Robinson will be "out for an extended period" for the Hurricanes, coach Rod Brind'Amour said on Wednesday. The forward left in the first period of a 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday because of an upper-body injury. He has 15 points (10 goals, five assists) in 44 games this season. Carolina hosts the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SN1).

Toronto Maple Leafs

Anthony Stolarz (upper body) was sent to Toronto of the American Hockey League on a conditioning loan, the Maple Leafs announced Tuesday. The goalie has been out since Nov. 11, when he left a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins after the first period. Stolarz was back practicing with the Maple Leafs during their four-game road trip last week. "Just full practices and lots of different types of work and shots -- that's important for him to get that in before he is ready to go," coach Craig Berube said after practice Tuesday. "I don't have a timeline on [how long he will be in the AHL)." Stolarz is 6-5-1 with a 3.51 goals-against average and .884 save percentage in 13 games this season. ... William Nylander (groin) did not play against the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, missing his third straight game. Berube said the forward is rehabbing off the ice but hasn't resumed skating. Nylander is expected to play for Sweden at the Olympics.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Defensemen Victor Hedman (elbow), Ryan McDonagh (lower body) and Emil Lilleberg (undisclosed) are back skating, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said before their 4-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. "That's definitely a good sign," Cooper said. Hedman, their captain, has not played since Dec. 9. He has 12 assists in 18 games and is averaging 21:05 of ice time. He is expected to play for Sweden at the Olympics. McDonagh, who has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 18 games, has not played since Dec. 22. Lilleberg, who has been out since Dec. 13, has six points (two goals, four assists) in 32 games.

Boston Bruins

Alex Steeves signed a two-year, $3.25 million contract with the Bruins on Tuesday. It has an average annual value of $1.625 million and begins next season. The 26-year-old forward has 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 33 games this season. He has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) in 47 career games with the Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins host the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, NESN, SNP, SNO, SNE).