NHL Player News

Shabanov (lower body) is available for Sunday's home matchup against Columbus but will serve as a healthy scratch, per Ethan Sears of the New York Post.

Shabanov missed three games due to the injury and served as a healthy scratch against Calgary on March 14. The 25-year-old played in back-to-back games prior to that win over the Flames, but he has failed to earn consistent ice time in his first NHL campaign.

DeSmith will be in net Sunday against the Golden Knights, Brien Rea of Victory+ reports.

DeSmith will make just his second start in the last two weeks Sunday with the Stars on the second of a back-to-back. His previous outing didn't go too well, as he was lit up for five goals on 21 shots by the Mammoth. The 34-year-old is 14-5-5 with a 2.40 GAA and a .907 save percentage on the season. The Golden Knights are also on the second of a back-to-back and have lost three games in a row.

Pulock (lower body) won't play Sunday against the Blue Jackets, the Islanders announced.

Pulock's absence Sunday will be just his fourth of the season. The 31-year-old has had another solid campaign, notching 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) and a plus-14 rating in 67 games. It remains to be seen how long he'll be out for. Adam Boqvist is expected to draw into the lineup in Pulock's place, at least for Sunday.

Duclair (lower body) won't play against Columbus on Sunday.

Duclair is day-to-day and will miss at least one game, but it's unclear if he will be ready to play against Chicago on Tuesday. He has generated 12 goals, 27 points, 72 shots on net and 41 blocked shots across 60 appearances this season. Kyle MacLean will replace Duclair in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jackets.

Nesbitt scored three goals in OHL Windsor's 5-3 win over Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday.

Nesbitt ended the regular season hot with seven goals and six assists during a seven-game point streak. The Flyers prospect is up to 25 goals and 58 points over 55 appearances. He was a little better on a point-per-game pace with 1.05 this year compared to 0.98 over 65 regular-season outings a year ago.

Gilbert (upper body) left Saturday's game against Toronto and didn't return, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Gilbert had two blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-1 rating across 11:17 of ice time in Saturday's contest. He has appeared in six NHL outings this season while earning one assist. Gilbert is poised to be out for a while, according to Garrioch, so Lassi Thomson will probably play against the Rangers on Monday.

Grzelcyk (upper body) left Sunday's game against the Predators in the first period and won't return, the team announced.

Grzelcyk got caught up high in a scrum after the whistle in the opening period and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. The 32-year-old has no goals and 12 assists in 68 games in his first season in a Blackhawks sweater. It remains to be seen if he will be forced to miss any more time. Chicago is next in action Tuesday on the road against the Islanders.

Hayes (upper body) won't play against Carolina on Sunday.

Hayes has been day-to-day due to an injury since March 10, but the return of Ville Koivunen to AHL Wilkes-Barre Scranton on Sunday suggests that Hayes could be healthy enough to play. The 33-year-old Hayes isn't a stranger to being a healthy scratch this season, and he has been participating in practices. Pittsburgh also doesn't have any other healthy forward extras on the roster. He has chipped in three goals, five points, 40 shots on net and 32 hits across 25 appearances this campaign.

Gostisbehere (lower body) will not play Sunday against the Penguins, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Gostisbehere has already missed the last seven games with injury and that number will grow by at least one more before he makes his return. The 32-year-old has had a magnificent season so far, registering 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) in 45 games played. His next chance to return will be Tuesday against the Canadiens.

Wilsby (lower body) will make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Blackhawks, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.

Wilsby was skating on the third pair with Ryan Ufko in warmups, putting the former in position to suit up for the first time since Feb 28. The 25-year-old Wilsby has missed Nashville's last 10 games. He has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 45 games on the year.