Tanev could return for Maple Leafs; Hintz possible for Stars on Sunday
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Nikita Kucherov will be a game-time decision for the Lightning against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSUN, NBCSP) because of an illness.
The forward did not play the third period of Tampa Bay’s 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday and did not take part in the morning skate Thursday.
“We’ll see,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “He’s been like everybody, it seems like something’s been going around the team. He’s just the next one to get it. But we’ll see how he’s feeling tonight.”
The Lightning recalled forward Cam Atkinson from Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Wednesday and he could play if Kucherov is unavailable. Cooper also said he could use a lineup of 11 forwards and seven defensemen, which he did Tuesday.
“Let’s wait until tonight to see what happens,” Cooper said. “That’ll be something we’ll definitely do at some point again, but not sure about tonight yet.”
Kucherov is third in the NHL with 92 points (28 goals, 64 assists) in 61 games this season. — Adam Kimelman
Chris Tanev will be a game-time decision for the Maple Leafs when they host the Florida Panthers on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, TSN4, SCRIPPS), coach Craig Berube said.
The defenseman has missed the past six games after sustaining an upper-body injury on February 25 in a 5-4 overtime win against the Boston Bruins.
Tanev was a full participant in Toronto’s optional morning skate Thursday and left the ice before Philippe Myers, who would play if Tanev does not.
“When I had Chris Pronger, how much he can control a game and he controlled in a different way than Tanev, but he controls a lot of the game for us in situational play,” Berube said.
Tanev did not practice on a regular pair Wednesday but has been pleased with the progress in his recovery.
“Feeling good,” Tanev said Wednesday. “Just progressing day by day on the timeline that was given to us. Just trying to get better every day. There was a timeline given to us so I’m just trying to check the boxes and when that’s there, hopefully I’ll be playing.”
The Maple Leafs have gone 3-2-1 without Tanev, who has 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) and is +26 in 57 games. Tanev is fifth in the NHL with 151 blocked shots. — Dave McCarthy
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Roope Hintz (face) could return Sunday at the Colorado Avalanche, Stars coach Pete DeBoer said.
The forward has missed the past two games after he was hit by a deflected puck during a 5-4 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. He’s been listed as day to day.
“He looks pretty good,” DeBoer said after practice Wednesday. “He can’t get his heart rate up because of the blood flow for I think it was five days from the time of the injury. But I think once we clear that five-day hurdle, I would think he looks pretty good.
“I would call him possible for Sunday.”
Hintz has 52 points (25 goals, 27 assists) and is plus-13 in 59 games this season.
