Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.
Edmonton Oilers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is out with an upper-body injury against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
“He’s not in the game today,” Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said. “He went to get a picture taken and get reevaluated, and that’s what we’re waiting on, the results from that reevaluation.”
The forward left a 3-2 win against the Florida Panthers in the first period Saturday after playing 3:17 and did not return.
“He’s in great spirits and he’s a heckuva’ teammate,” Woodcroft said. “He didn’t play a lot in that game but he was with the fellas there in terms of celebrating with them after the win.”
Nugent-Hopkins has scored 37 points (seven goals, 30 assists) in 45 games this season.
Forward Kailer Yamamoto also did not play Sunday because of an unspecified injury. The forward played 20:14 against the Panthers on Saturday and has scored 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in 52 games this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Elvis Merzlikins will start for the Blue Jackets when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday (6 p.m. ET: SNE, SNO, SNW, BSOH, ATTSN-PT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
The goalie was activated off injured reserve Friday after missing three games with a lower-body injury.
Merzlikins is 18-13 1 with a 3.42 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and two shutouts in 32 games (31 starts) this season. His most recent start was a 7-4 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 17 when he made 28 saves.
New York Islanders
Mathew Barzal and Zdeno Chara may not play when the Islanders visit the Ducks on Sunday (NHLN, SNE, SNO, SNW, BSW, MSG+, NHL LIVE).
Barzal left a 5-2 loss at the Los Angeles Kings with a lower-body injury in the second period Saturday after Kings center Phillip Danault fell on his leg at 11:49. He played one more shift and then did not return.
Chara sustained an upper-body injury in the second period Saturday and did not return to the game.
“No, I don’t have [have an update] on the timeframes,” coach Barry Trotz said Saturday.
Barzal leads the Islanders with 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in 45 games this season. Chara has eight assists in 45 games.
This news is republished from another source. You can check the original article here