Injury updates continue to roll in from the NHL, highlighting key players from various teams. Calgary Flames defenseman Jake Bean made a swift return to the ice after needing assistance off it earlier this week. Meanwhile, Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin participated in line rushes but separated from the team during drills.

The Columbus Blue Jackets received promising news with Kirill Marchenko's potential return this Saturday, alongside Boone Jenner, who is inching closer to his season debut after shoulder surgery. The Blue Jackets also await the return of Sean Monahan and Yegor Chinakhov, while Dante Fabbro and Erik Gudbranson's statuses are improving.

In other news, Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk faced an undisclosed injury and missed significant ice time recently. The New Jersey Devils' Nico Hischier is also on the mend, with a possible return on the horizon. Notably, the New York Rangers' Igor Shesterkin is expected back this weekend, offering a boost amid ongoing injuries across the league.

The Boston Bruins are facing injury challenges, with defenseman Hampus Lindholm absent from practice and Charlie McAvoy undergoing surgery to address an infection, sidelining him week-to-week. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres have seen some positive news as Mattias Samuelsson returned to practice, and Jordan Greenway is expected back after a prolonged absence due to a mid-body injury.

In other updates, Nashville's Jeremy Lauzon will be out for up to six months with a lower-body injury, while the New Jersey Devils reported Nico Hischier's complete participation in practice. The New York Rangers are also navigating injury concerns, recalling goaltender Dylan Garand as Igor Shesterkin skated alone. The Ottawa Senators had forwards Shane Pinto and Josh Norris miss practice.

In the latest NHL updates, Buffalo Sabres' forwards Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, alongside goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, are expected to return to action after participating in practice. However, forward Beck Malenstyn was absent from practice. On the injury front, Chicago Blackhawks' Jason Dickinson faces several weeks on the sidelines due to an ankle sprain. Nashville Predators' Zachary L’Heureux is day-to-day with an upper-body issue, while New Jersey Devils' Nico Hischier continues his solo skating regimen.

Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green remains hopeful about Shane Pinto's participation, despite his arm injury making him a game-time decision. Philadelphia Flyers' Owen Tippett is ruled out until after the Four Nations event due to an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, who missed the last game after an injury, has returned to practice but remains uncertain for the upcoming match. Evgeni Malkin is still on IR, complicating the Penguins' forward lineup.

Nico Hischier, the captain of the New Jersey Devils, has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to January 25 due to an upper-body injury. Head coach Sheldon Keefe expressed optimism that Hischier will return after the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Hischier sustained his injury following a cross-check from Montreal's Nick Suzuki during a game on January 25, in which the Devils won 4-3 in overtime. Despite returning for one shift in the third period, Hischier ultimately left the game. The 26-year-old leads the Devils with 24 goals and has recorded 19 assists this season.

In addition, the Devils have recalled defenseman Simon Nemec from their AHL affiliate, who has contributed one assist in nine games with the team this season.

Timo Meier's decisive shootout goal against Alex Nedeljkovic clinched a 3-2 victory for the New Jersey Devils over the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking their sixth consecutive win in Pittsburgh. Jack Hughes starred for the Devils, scoring twice, while Jesper Bratt contributed with two assists, boosting his point total to 45. Nico Daws was solid in goal, stopping 25 shots during regulation and overtime, and successfully defending five of the seven shootout attempts.

Pittsburgh, fighting hard, saw Rickard Rakell net his 24th goal of the season, and Kevin Hayes leveled the game with a late regulation goal. However, the absence of captain Sidney Crosby for part of the third period, due to an injury, raised concerns for the Penguins as they dropped this tightly contested game while still gaining a point for the third straight matchup.