NHL Buzz: Matthews, Brodie each expected back for Maple Leafs
Quinn to make season debut for Sabres; Zacha returns for Bruins; Dell gets tryout with Hurricanes
Auston Matthews and TJ Brodie are each expected to play when the Maple Leafs host the New York Rangers on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, MSG).
Matthews, a center, took part in the morning skate and was a full participant at practice Monday after missing a 7-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday because of an illness. He will play center on the top line with Matthew Knies and William Nylander.
“I was throwing up all afternoon and thought I could get to the rink and maybe get it settled down, but I couldn’t,” Matthews said Monday. “Just a normal day before a game routine (Monday) and just get ready to go for tomorrow. Felt pretty good out there today, so hopefully it just flushes out of the whole system and I’m back to feeling like normal.”
Matthews leads Toronto with 23 goals in 27 games.
Brodie, a defenseman, also missed the game against the Penguins with an illness and was not expected to play. He will be on the top defense pair with Morgan Rielly.
Brodie is second on the Maple Leafs in ice time per game (22:15) and has six assists in 27 games. — Dave McCarthy
Buffalo Sabres
Jack Quinn will make his season debut for the Sabres against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; BSOH, MSG-B).
The forward was out while recovering from an Achilles injury he sustained during offseason training in June.
“I’m excited to get back out there,” he said. “It’s been a long wait.”
Quinn, who had 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 77 games as a rookie last season, will be eased back in as he works his way into game shape. He skated at left wing with center Tyson Jost and right wing Victor Olofsson at the morning skate and will be used on the penalty kill.
“He’s one of our most intelligent players at feel for the game and situations,” Buffalo coach Don Granato said. “He can jump right in on that. He will jump in on that. We’ve missed some killers … so with ‘Quinner’ coming back in, yes, we’ll put him there right away.”
Forwards Jeff Skinner (upper body) and Zemgus Girgensons (lower body) are each progressing, and could return by the weekend or shortly thereafter.
Skinner, who was injured Dec. 13 against the Colorado Avalanche, has 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 30 games.
“He’s feeling better every day,” Granato said. “What he’s dealing with, it’s all about how you feel, so he’s progressed. He has not regressed at all each and every day since. And those are good signs that it’ll continue to resolve at a good pace, meaning day to day. So I would expect that if that continues, we’ll see him in four days or so.”
Girgensons has been out the past 12 games. He has two goals in 20 games this season.
“There’s potential before the (holiday) break that he gets in there,” Granato said. “Potential. If not, I would say right after the break.” — Heather Engel