NHL Status Report: Pearson, Schenn could make debut for Sabres

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

Buffalo Sabres

Tanner Pearson and Luke Schenn could each make his debut with the Sabres against the Washington Capitals on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT2, MSG-B). Pearson, a forward, and Schenn, a defenseman, were acquired from the Jets separate deals prior to the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday. Pearson has 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in 52 games with the Jets this season and Schenn has seven points (one goal, six assists) in 46 games. … The status of forward Alex Tuch (lower-body injury) who missed the final minutes of Buffalo's 6-3 win against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, is uncertain.

Florida Panthers

Sam Reinhart is expected to play for the Panthers against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, SCRIPPS). The forward, who has soft tissue issues, was rested in the Panthers' 4-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. Forwards Carter Verhaeghe (tightness) and Anton Lundell (rest after playing in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026) are out against Columbus. Defenseman Mike Benning will make his NHL debut for the Panthers. Benning draws in for Uvis Balinskis (upper-body injury) and will play with Niko Mikkola.

San Jose Sharks

William Eklund will be a game-time decision for the Sharks against the Boston Bruins on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSCA, NESN, SNP, SNE). Eklund did not practice on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury. He took part in line rushes at the morning skate Thursday, but coach Ryan Warsofsky said the forward’s status was still to be determined. Eklund has 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 58 games this season. The Sharks have also recalled forward Igor Chernyshov from the San Jose Barracuda, their AHL affiliate. Chernyshov has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 15 games with the Sharks this season.

Chicago Blackhawks

Spencer Knight will be available to back up starting goalie Arvid Soderblom for the Blackhawks against the Utah Mammoth on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; Utah16, CHSN). Knight has missed their past three games due to illness. He is 16-18-8 with a 2.62 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and three shutouts in 42 starts this season. Goalie Drew Commesso, who made 23 saves in a 3-2 overtime win against the Mammoth on Monday, was reassigned to Rockford of the American Hockey League on Wednesday.

New York Rangers

J.T. Miller participated in morning skate but will miss his fifth straight game when the Rangers play the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; TSN3, MSG). Miller skated with the Rangers on Tuesday for the first time since since sustaining an upper-body injury during the third period of a 5-4 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets on March 2. Miller has 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 51 games this season. ... Forward Taylor Raddysh, who missed the past two games to attend the funeral of his father, Dwayne, skated with the Rangers on Thursday. He has 17 points (nine goals, eight assists) in 59 games.

Edmonton Oilers

Adam Henrique will play after missing the past two games with a knee injury when the Oilers play the Dallas Stars on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SNO, SN1). Henrique has 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 48 games this season. Forward Colton Dach and defenseman Ty Emberson each returned to Edmonton to be further evaluated for their undisclosed injuries. Both left in the first period of a 4-3 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.