Ivan Provorov’s remarkable durability streak has hit a pause in Columbus. The Blue Jackets defenseman is listed week to week with a lower-body injury, putting his availability for the season opener against Buffalo in doubt after he had gone 10 NHL seasons without missing a game because of injury.
After the horn
Provorov has appeared in 778 NHL games and had missed only three contests, all during COVID protocol in 2022. He played all 82 games last season, posting nine goals and 22 assists while carrying a heavy 24:49 per-game workload.
Buffalo could get defenseman Mattias Samuelsson back in the lineup Thursday at Columbus. Samuelsson had been considered week to week after blocking a shot in a Sept. 22 preseason game, but is now expected to dress.
Defenseman Olen Zellweger remains out Thursday while working through concussion protocol following an injury suffered Sept. 22. Coach Lindy Ruff said Zellweger had not yet cleared all required testing, though he could still be an option against Chicago on Saturday if his skating progression continues.
In Dallas, Matt Duchene has been assigned to long-term injured reserve with a lower-body issue that followed him through camp. He must sit out at least the Stars’ first 10 games. Coach Glen Gulutzan said Duchene had resumed skating in a managed program, but a setback during a road trip has left the club monitoring his recovery.
Duchene produced 16 goals and 29 assists in 57 regular-season games last season, then added two goals and seven assists across six playoff games. Dallas recalled forwards Colin Blackwell and Arttu Hyry from AHL Texas before opening against St. Louis.
The Blues will be without defenseman Tyler Tucker indefinitely after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. General manager Alexander Steen said Tucker will be checked again in six weeks. Tucker recorded three goals and 14 assists in 69 games last season.
New Jersey forward Connor Brown will miss the Devils’ first two games after suffering a lower-body injury late in Monday’s practice. Coach Sheldon Keefe said Brown did not feel right and is awaiting imaging, but the early expectation is that the absence will not be lengthy.
Stefan Noesen will take Brown’s place in Thursday’s opener against Philadelphia. He is expected to skate alongside Cody Glass at center and left wing Amadeus Lombardi. Brown had 18 goals and 25 assists in 75 games during his first Devils season.
Chicago will go without Andrew Mangiapane for at least two more games. The forward exited Tuesday’s 5-2 season-opening loss at Vegas after one second-period shift because of a lower-body injury. Coach Jeff Blashill said Mangiapane will not join the Blackhawks for either stop on their current road swing.
On Long Island, Mathew Barzal traveled with the Islanders to Toronto despite missing camp after inflammation flared from an earlier injury. He did not play in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs, but general manager Mathieu Darche said Barzal could resume skating by the weekend or early next week. Barzal led the Islanders last season with 72 points, including 19 goals and 53 assists, in 81 games.
Next puck drop
- Thursday, Oct. 1: Buffalo Sabres at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. ET.
- Thursday, Oct. 1: Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. ET.
- Thursday, Oct. 1: Chicago Blackhawks at Utah Mammoth, 9:30 p.m. ET.
- Friday, Oct. 2: St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars, 9 p.m. ET.
- Saturday, Oct. 3: New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders.
- Saturday, Oct. 3: Chicago Blackhawks at Buffalo Sabres.
- Monday, Oct. 6: St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks.
