Injury updates are rolling in as the NHL playoff race heats up. The Buffalo Sabres are dealing with a setback as forwards Josh Norris, Jordan Greenway, and Tyson Kozak miss practice. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes saw the return of Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov to their lineup, although Jesperi Kotkaniemi is expected to be out for at least a week.

The Florida Panthers are also experiencing mixed news. Key players Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, and Gustav Forsling returned, but forward Sam Bennett is likely sidelined for the rest of the regular season, albeit ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. On the injury front, Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils is making progress in his recovery but has not yet rejoined practices.

Time is running out for teams and players to make their final adjustments before the playoff push, and every update can impact your fantasy lineup. Keep an eye on these developments as they unfold.

As the Carolina Hurricanes prepare for their upcoming matchup, the injury statuses of key players are under scrutiny. Coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed that forwards William Carrier, Jordan Staal, and Andrei Svechnikov participated in practice, but their availability for tonight's game remains uncertain. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who tweaked something during Saturday's practice, has no update on his status. Staal, sidelined for four games due to a lower-body injury, and Svechnikov, missing the last two games with an upper-body issue, are both hopeful for a return. Additionally, defenseman Jalen Chatfield may rejoin the lineup.

The Florida Panthers are also dealing with injury concerns, with Nico Sturm expected to return after an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers are managing injuries to Matt Rempe and K'Andre Miller, with Rempe working to regain strength after an upper-body issue. The Philadelphia Flyers have their own set of injuries, with Sean Couturier possibly just taking a maintenance day. The Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk has not yet returned to skating after an upper-body injury, while the Toronto Maple Leafs will be without Jake McCabe and David Kampf for their Florida trip due to undisclosed and upper-body issues, respectively.

Injuries are piling up for several NHL teams as the playoffs approach. Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Staal sat out for a second consecutive game due to a lower-body injury, raising concerns about his availability in the postseason. Teammate Andrei Svechnikov left the last match early, though coach Rod Brind'Amour indicated the injury isn't serious. Meanwhile, Hurricanes' William Carrier is on the mend, having skated in a no-contact jersey for two days.

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has recently resumed skating, but uncertainty remains regarding his readiness. The New Jersey Devils are also monitoring Dougie Hamilton's progress, as he recovers from knee surgery, with expectations that he may be back by the second round. In New York, Rangers forward Matt Rempe participated in the morning skate after an upper-body injury, while David Kampf and Jake McCabe exited their previous game with injuries. The Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with Evgeni Malkin, who is traveling with the team but has missed the last three games due to an upper-body injury.

With Jeremy Swayman potentially returning to the Boston Bruins lineup after a recent upper-body injury, the team is optimistic about his swift recovery. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres face challenges as defenseman Rasmus Dahlin missed practice, although forward Ryan McLeod could be ready to play. The Carolina Hurricanes are making headlines with a significant trade for Mikko Rantanen, while their William Carrier is sidelined for a couple of months due to a lower-body injury that needed surgery.

In other injury news, the Chicago Blackhawks are dealing with Seth Jones and Connor Murphy absent from their recent showdown. The New Jersey Devils will be without Jacob Markstrom for at least a month due to a sprained MCL. Furthermore, the New York Islanders' Noah Dobson is expected to miss several weeks. The Philadelphia Flyers are also grappling with injuries, as Egor Zamula is out, and Pittsburgh Penguins’ Bryan Rust is classified as day-to-day.

William Carrier of the Carolina Hurricanes is seeking a second opinion regarding his lower-body injury, while teammate Tyson Jost has resumed skating but remains sidelined. In Colorado, Gabriel Landeskog participated in drills, raising hopes for his return, as Samuel Girard rejoined the lineup. Meanwhile, Roope Hintz from the Dallas Stars is day-to-day after missing a game. Florida's Sam Reinhart played despite missing the morning skate, but Aaron Ekblad is out indefinitely.

In Minnesota, Jakub Lauko was activated from IR, whereas Anthony Duclair of the New York Islanders acknowledged his ongoing injury issues. Ottawa’s Thomas Chabot is recovering from a puck to the face, and Seattle's Brandon Tanev missed a game due to illness. Erik Cernak of the Tampa Bay Lightning is also day-to-day after an early exit from a recent game.