Norris ‘excited to get back’ for Sabres against Jets; Hart practices with Golden Knights
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Welcome to the NHL Status Report. Here is the latest lineup/injury news around the NHL.
David Pastrnak remains out because of an undisclosed injury and will not travel with the Bruins for their game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNDET, NESN, SNO, SNE). The forward, who will miss his third straight game, did not practice Monday. “It’s still day to day,” coach Marco Sturm said. “We were hoping he could skate by now, but he didn’t. So, that’s why. We’ll see how it is the next few days, but he will not travel.” Pastrnak played 18:35 in Boston’s 3-1 win at the New York Islanders on Nov. 26. He leads the Bruins with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 25 games. … Forward Viktor Arvidsson (lower body) is expected to return Tuesday; he’s missed the past seven games.
Josh Norris will be back for the Sabres against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG-B, Prime) after the forward missed 25 games with a lower-body injury he sustained in their season opener on Oct. 9. Norris centered the top line at the morning skate between Zach Benson and Tage Thompson and was on the top power-play unit. “Woke up early this morning,” Norris said. “I couldn’t really sleep too well last night, just excited to get back in the lineup.” To make room for Norris, the Sabres reassigned defenseman Zach Metsa to Rochester of the American Hockey League.
Carter Hart practiced with the Golden Knights on Monday and could make his debut for them against the Chicago Blackhawks at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; HULU, ESPN+, SNO, SNE). The goalie signed a two-year, $4 million contract ($2 million average annual value) with Vegas on Oct. 15 and played three games for Henderson of the AHL, going 1-2-0 with a 3.07 goals-against average and .839 save percentage. Hart became eligible to return to NHL play on Monday, with his last NHL appearance having taken place on Jan. 20, 2024, as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. He was one of the five members of Canada’s 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship team acquitted of sexual assault charges following a trial this summer. Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said a decision on whether Hart would start against the Blackhawks would be made Tuesday morning. “I think for me, preparation is everything,” Hart said after practice. “I’ve worked my [rear end] off to get back to this point. … I’ve done everything I can to be prepared, and I’ll be prepared if I get the call tomorrow.”
Logan Cooley will be a game-time decision for Mammoth at the San Jose Sharks on Monday (10 p.m. ET; Utah16, NBCSCA). The forward participated at the morning skate after he sustained an apparent lower-body injury in the third period of a 1-0 loss at the St. Louis Blues on Saturday in a knee-on-knee collision with Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko, who was assessed a major penalty for kneeing and a game misconduct. “That was great to see him walk the next day and to be on the ice this morning,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “That was really encouraging. You don’t want any of your players to have a significant knee injury. It’s good to see he is on his leg already.” Cooley leads Utah with 23 points (14 goals, nine assists) in 26 games.
Boone Jenner is “close” to returning from an upper-body injury, according to coach Dean Evason, but the Blue Jackets captain will miss his 10th straight game at the New Jersey Devils on Monday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, MSGSN). Jenner, a forward, hasn’t played since Nov. 11. He has 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 16 games this season.
Michael Misa and Jeff Skinner each participated in the Sharks’ morning skate on Monday prior to their game against the Mammoth (10 p.m. ET; Utah16, NBCSCA). It was the first time each skated since sustaining a lower-body injury. Misa, a forward, has not played since Nov. 1; he has three points (one goal, two assists) in seven games after being the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Skinner, also a forward, has seven points (four goals, three assists) in 17 games; he has not played since Nov. 13. Neither will play Monday. … Defenseman Vincent Desharnais (upper body) was placed on injured reserve.
Neal Pionk (lower body) participated in the morning skate, but the Jets defenseman will miss his fourth straight game Monday against the Sabres (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG-B, Prime). Pionk was injured in the first period of a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Nov. 23. He has five points (one goal, four assists) in 21 games while averaging 22:44 of ice time.
Conor Garland (upper body) did not practice with the Canucks on Monday, two days after missing a 2-1 overtime loss at the Los Angeles Kings. The forward had an assist in 24:28 on Friday in a 3-2 loss at San Jose. … Nils Hoglander (lower body) practiced Monday in a noncontact jersey; the forward has yet to play this season after having surgery on Sept. 29. … Goalie Jiri Patera was recalled from Abbotsford of the AHL under emergency conditions.
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