Bo Horvat’s availability is the biggest immediate question for the New York Islanders after the center took an illegal check to the head late in Thursday’s 4-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at UBS Arena.
Horvat scored twice before leaving with 1:33 remaining in regulation after Chicago center Frank Nazar was assessed a five-minute match penalty at 18:27 of the third period. Horvat was set for medical evaluation Friday, leaving his status unresolved for the Islanders’ home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Blue Jackets set for Severson and Talbot
Columbus expects defenseman Damon Severson to make his season debut Friday when the Blue Jackets host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena. Severson has been recovering from shoulder surgery performed in April and practiced Thursday alongside Zach Werenski on Columbus’ top defense pair.
Werenski said Severson’s puck skill makes him a natural partner.
“He has a lot of skill and makes plenty of plays,” Werenski said. “He is easy to read off because he takes what is available to him.”
Cam Talbot is also scheduled to make his first start for Columbus. The 39-year-old goaltender signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jackets on Sept. 14, and Columbus will be his ninth NHL club.
Defense updates in Winnipeg, Washington and New Jersey
Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey will sit out Friday’s home game against the Anaheim Ducks with an upper-body injury. He is considered day to day, but Winnipeg has three days between games after Friday before hosting the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
“He felt a little better today,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said. “But with three days off coming up, we’re just being careful.”
Washington defenseman Matt Roy will miss a second consecutive game when the Capitals welcome the New York Rangers on Friday. Roy, who was hurt in Washington’s 3-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Oct. 3, remains day to day with a lower-body injury.
Roy skated on his own before the Capitals’ morning session. Coach Spencer Carbery said the defenseman is progressing, though slowly.
“It is coming along,” Carbery said. “I don’t think it has worsened. It’s just taking some time, and he remains day to day.”
New Jersey defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler missed Thursday’s practice but has not been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks. He was injured Tuesday against the Utah Mammoth after an awkward fall early in the third period of a 5-3 Devils loss.
Coach Sheldon Keefe said the early outlook has improved. Siegenthaler was expected to test the injury in a Friday skate before the Devils make a call on his availability. Through three games, he has no points, three blocked shots and an average ice time of 18:54.
Devils center Jack Hughes was given a maintenance day Thursday and is expected back on the ice Friday.
Foligno out again for Minnesota
Nick Foligno will miss Minnesota’s Saturday visit to the Florida Panthers after sitting out Thursday’s 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay with an upper-body injury. Foligno was forced from Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres late in the opening period and did not return.
Next puck drops
- Friday: Anaheim Ducks at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. ET
- Friday: New York Rangers at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET
- Friday: Pittsburgh Penguins at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Saturday: Vancouver Canucks at New Jersey Devils, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Saturday: Minnesota Wild at Florida Panthers
