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.

The New York Islanders have placed defenseman Dennis Cholowski on waivers as they look to manage a roster with two potential returning defensemen, Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock, expected back from injured reserve. Both have been practicing and may be available for the upcoming game against the Dallas Stars.

This season, Cholowski has played 33 games, recording 3 goals and 7 assists. A former first-round draft pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2016, he has had stints with several teams, including the Capitals and Kraken, accumulating a total of 150 NHL appearances. His career stats include 13 goals and 27 assists, but his time in New York has yielded limited success.

Mathew Barzal, forward for the New York Islanders, is sidelined indefinitely due to a lower-body injury sustained during a recent match against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 27-year-old left the game after blocking a shot late in regulation. This season, Barzal has contributed six goals and 14 assists in 30 games, marking his ninth year with the team since being drafted in 2015.

Earlier in this season, he was placed on long-term injured reserve for an upper-body issue. With a career total of 462 points, including 134 goals and 328 assists, Barzal has demonstrated consistent performance since entering the league. Additionally, Scott Mayfield, another key player on the team, is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, further impacting the Islanders' lineup.

Amid growing speculation around NHL trades, Casey Mittelstadt could be one player potentially on the move ahead of the trade deadline. Recent comments from Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar suggest dissatisfaction with Mittelstadt's recent performances. Meanwhile, Jamie Benn's situation with the Dallas Stars appears stable, as both sides seem unconcerned about his pending free agency. Talks regarding a contract extension will await the end of the season.

In further trade rumors, defensemen Scott Mayfield from the New York Islanders is attracting interest, particularly from teams seeking blueliners with term remaining on their contracts. The Islanders have several players with no-trade clauses, making any moves complex. The Ottawa Senators are also considering defensive additions.

Bobby McMann showcased his scoring prowess with two goals as the Toronto Maple Leafs secured a narrow 2-1 victory against the New York Islanders. McMann's performance marked his sixth career game with two goals, bringing his season total to 12. His second goal, scored on the power play, proved crucial with less than three minutes left on the clock.

McMann's linemates, Max Domi and Nick Robertson, contributed to the success of the third line, which has been effective since its formation in December. Coach Craig Berube praised their energy and teamwork, highlighting McMann's impactful play.

Despite McMann's success, the game also saw the end of point streaks for stars John Tavares and Mitch Marner. Goalie Joseph Woll made 32 saves, ensuring the victory and maintaining the Leafs' lead in the Atlantic Division.