In the latest from the National Hockey League (NHL), there’s a buzz of uncertainty regarding the game status of Mikael Backlund, the captain of Calgary Flames, for their upcoming face-off with Seattle Kraken on Tuesday. After being benched for five consecutive games due to an upper-body ailment, Backlund was spotted back in his regular jersey during Monday’s team skate. However, the Flames’ coach, Ryan Huska, refrained from making any definitive statements about Backlund’s participation in Tuesday’s match.
During the Monday practice, Backlund was seen taking line rushes with teammates Blake Coleman and Joel Farabee, whilst also showing his mettle on the penalty kill. Despite these promising signs, the final call on his participation remains on the fence.
Meanwhile, Flames’ MacKenzie Weegar and Martin Pospisil were missing from Monday’s practice. Weegar, the team’s robust defenseman, is nursing a lower-body injury, while Pospisil had a maintenance day off. In a glimmer of hope for the Flames, Huska is optimistic about Weegar’s recovery in time for Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Kraken.
In other news, there’s a cloud of uncertainty looming over the Washington Capitals’ camp as well. Jakob Chychrun, the team’s stalwart defenseman, is grappling with a wrist injury caused by a skate cut. Consequently, he abstained from Monday’s practice session. Spencer Carbery, the Capitals’ head coach, shared the update and acknowledged concerns about Chychrun’s availability for the upcoming clash against the Winnipeg Jets. The injury occurred during the Saturday game against Florida Panthers, sparking worries about the team’s defensive lineup.
Heading over to the Ottawa Senators, captain Brady Tkachuk is also among the ranks of players grappling with health issues. Despite missing Monday’s practice for maintenance, he is expected to power through his hip issues and appear in Tuesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. Tkachuk has been a key player for the Senators this season, boasting 28 goals and 26 assists across 67 games.
In a strategic move, the Senators recalled center Stephen Halliday from the AHL’s Belleville Senators. Halliday has had an impressive run in the AHL this season, with 15 goals and 43 points in 59 games. Despite being a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Halliday hasn’t made his NHL debut yet.
Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs were seen gearing up for their upcoming game against the Philadelphia Flyers, with an intensive practice session on Monday. The Leafs are keen on keeping their winning streak alive and will be putting everything on the line in Tuesday’s match.