Brayden Point and Victor Hedman are anticipated to return to play for the Tampa Bay Lightning when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday at Benchmark International Arena. Point has been sidelined due to an undisclosed injury sustained before the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, which prevented him from playing for Team Canada. The forward last appeared on January 12, contributing a power-play goal before exiting the game. Meanwhile, Hedman missed a crucial quarterfinal game for Team Sweden due to a lower-body injury but remained with the team on the bench and now reports feeling better as he prepares for the Lightning’s upcoming matchup.
Following practice on Tuesday, Hedman reflected on his Olympic injury, saying,
“It’s frustrating and still a little bit of disbelief it happened before one of the most important games of my career, but it is what it is. Representing your country is more than yourself, so you have to be a little unselfish. I felt like not playing was the best for the team. I don’t think I could have played at my level in that game.”
Hedman currently leads the Lightning with 13 assists in 21 games this season. The team holds a strong record of 37-14-4, topping the Atlantic Division and sharing the lead in the Eastern Conference with the Carolina Hurricanes after a five-game winning streak. Hedman emphasized the team focus, stating,
“Now the focus is on this group in here,”
and added,
“It feels great to be back and finally starting to feel like myself again, so it’s good.”
Also expected to rejoin the Lightning’s lineup are Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, and Erik Cernak, who were rested recently after representing their countries in the Olympics.
Injury Updates and Player Status for Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk is managing a new injury and remains week to week, according to coach Scott Arniel. Pionk, sidelined since January 13 with a lower-body injury, practiced on Monday and was expected to play against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. Forward Nino Niederreiter is also listed as week to week, having played through injury before joining Team Switzerland. Niederreiter’s skating session this week did not go as well as planned, indicating ongoing recovery challenges.
Josh Morrissey, dealing with an upper-body injury sustained during the Olympics, will miss the team’s upcoming three-game road trip but may return for the March 3 home game versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Morrissey was placed on injured reserve retroactively to February 12 following an injury in Canada’s 5-0 Olympic victory over Czechia. Kyle Connor is expected to participate on Wednesday and has been eager to return to full play after his Olympic duty, with coach Arniel noting,
“That’s the biggest thing. He wants to get back on the ice and get going and help us.”
Defenseman Haydn Fleury continues to recover after being stretchered off during a Jan. 6 game; he skated in a noncontact jersey as the Jets approach his status cautiously on a daily basis.
Toronto Maple Leafs Prepare for Crucial Game with Key Player Back
The Toronto Maple Leafs anticipate Auston Matthews’ return as they prepare to face the Lightning on Wednesday evening. Matthews, who earned gold with Team USA at the Winter Olympics and recorded seven points in six games, has posted 48 points in 51 games this season for Toronto. Coach Craig Berube confirmed the expectation of Matthews playing, stating,
“I do (expect Matthews to play). He’s riding a pretty good high right now, you know? He’s feeling good. Again, we will evaluate that tomorrow and see where he is at and I will get a better feel when I talk to him here tonight.”
Vegas Golden Knights Face Lineup Challenges Ahead of Road Game
The Vegas Golden Knights will be without forwards Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin when they visit the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Both recently earned Olympic gold with Team USA but will miss this next game due to attending the State of the Union event, as coach Bruce Cassidy explained after practice. Cassidy anticipates their return by Friday’s game against the Washington Capitals, highlighting that the break could be beneficial for the players.
Several other players remain uncertain, including forwards Mitch Marner and Mark Stone, and defenseman Shea Theodore, all of whom represented Team Canada and earned silver at the Olympics. Cassidy noted the Canadian players’ availability is still being assessed but confirmed that forward Tomas Hertl, defenseman Rasmus Andersson, and goalie Akira Schmid, who returned earlier, are ready to play.
Currently, Vegas sits atop the Pacific Division with a 27-16-14 record, four points clear of the Edmonton Oilers.
Washington Capitals Monitor Player Recoveries for Upcoming Match
Defenseman John Carlson, recovering from a lower-body injury sustained before the Olympic break, skated individually in a noncontact jersey but remains questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery described Carlson’s status as day to day, saying,
“We’ll see how he is tomorrow and then we’ll assess for tomorrow night.”
Forward Connor McMichael will be activated from injured reserve after missing four games due to an upper-body injury. The status of forward Tom Wilson and goalie Logan Thompson remains undecided as both have recently returned from Olympic play but did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. Defenseman Martin Fehervary resumed full practice and is expected to play against the Flyers.
Red Wings Prepare for Return of Captain Dylan Larkin
Dylan Larkin is expected to suit up for the Detroit Red Wings when they face the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. Having contributed three points in six Olympic games during Team USA’s gold medal run, Larkin is poised to resume play. Red Wings coach Todd McLellan expressed optimism about Larkin’s return, noting possible travel delays but expecting the player to be present for the matchup. McLellan said,
“If all goes well and the weather and flights and everything cooperate, I think he can sleep in his own bed tonight,”
and added,
“We’ll have him around the arena tomorrow. I’m not sure if he’ll skate. Expect him to be on the plane and be a factor in Ottawa on Thursday night.”
Larkin has accumulated 51 points across 58 games this season.
Ottawa Senators Ready to Welcome Back Key Players
Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson are set to return to the Senators’ lineup for Thursday’s game against the Red Wings after contributing to Team USA’s Olympic gold medal success. Sanderson leads Senators defensemen in scoring with 46 points, while captain Tkachuk has recorded 37 points in 37 games this season.
St. Louis Blues Anticipate Forward Dylan Holloway’s Return
Dylan Holloway is expected to play in the Blues’ first game post-Olympic break against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Holloway has missed significant time this season due to a right high ankle sprain but recently indicated he’s recovering well. He reflected on the challenges of being sidelined, stating,
“Obviously it’s been tough being out. It [stinks]. It’s hard mentally, but I’m definitely feeling a lot better than I did before I tried to play the last time.”
Holloway has contributed 17 points in 34 games this season.
Robert Thomas has resumed practice following a right leg procedure and while his availability remains uncertain, coach Jim Montgomery remarked,
“I just talked to him at the end [of practice]. Said he felt good. It’s a good step, but it’s not all the way there yet.”
Vancouver Canucks Face Potential Season-Ending Injury, Other Updates
Filip Chytil‘s injury from being struck in the face by a puck during practice raises concerns about a possible season-ending absence, although final decisions await further specialist evaluation. Coach Adam Foote detailed the injury, revealing,
“He had a couple breaks under his eye. They haven’t determined if he’ll be out for the season yet. They are going to see another specialist. They don’t think it’s going to have to be surgical. Fingers crossed and we’ll wait and see.”
Chytil has struggled this season with only three goals in 12 games and limited production before the Olympic break due to a prior concussion.
Goaltender Kevin Lankinen’s return from the Finnish Olympic team has been delayed by a significant snowstorm in the northeastern United States. Foote expressed hope that Lankinen could return by Tuesday or Wednesday and possibly participate in Saturday’s game against the Seattle Kraken, but he will likely miss the Wednesday matchup versus the Winnipeg Jets.
Forward Brock Boeser has resumed practice in a noncontact jersey. Foote explained that Boeser’s recent absence was more related to a virus than a concussion relapse, and he expects Boeser to take the ice in regular practice soon.
Implications of Upcoming Player Returns and Injuries Across the NHL
The return of key players such as Brayden Point and Victor Hedman to the Tampa Bay Lightning, along with Auston Matthews rejoining the Toronto Maple Leafs, is set to provide a boost for these Eastern Conference contenders as they resume play after the Olympic break. Meanwhile, teams like the Winnipeg Jets continue to navigate injury concerns that could impact their competitiveness on the road.
The Vegas Golden Knights are managing Olympic-related absences but remain atop the Pacific Division, while Washington Capitals face uncertainties with several players recovering from injuries sustained before and during the break. Detroit’s anticipation of Dylan Larkin’s return and Ottawa’s reinstatement of influential players Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson could shape upcoming divisional matchups.
Injuries to players like Filip Chytil and Dylan Holloway pose challenges for their respective teams, emphasizing the critical physical toll of the season’s demands. With several key players returning and others still on the mend, NHL teams will continue to adjust lineups carefully as they approach the season’s crucial stages.
