Ice Chips: Jets' Vilardi, Morrissey still GTD for rematch with Leafs
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Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness said forward Gabriel Vilardi and defenceman Josh Morrissey are still game-time decisions for the rematch with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Bowness added it's "a very good bet they'll both play."
Vilardi and Morrissey practiced in regular jerseys on Friday, according to TSN's John Lu.
Morrissey, 28, left Thursday's 1-0 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs in the first period after blocking a shot from forward Matthew Knies.
He told reporters after practice that Knies spot hit him in an "uncomfortable spot" and left the game for precautionary reasons.
The six-foot defenceman has seven goals and 33 points in 46 games this season and leads the Jets with 24:10 per game.
Vilardi, 24, missed the team's last two games with a lower body injury.
He told reporters after practice that the injury flared up during the Jets' 2-1 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators and sat out for precautionary reasons.
The six-foot-three forward also said that he feels ready to play on Saturday but remains a game-time decision.
Vilardi has 11 goals and 20 points in 26 games this season.
The Jets said Friday centre Mark Scheifele, who has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, will not be available.
San Jose Sharks
Sharks rookie Shakir Mukhamadullin is set to make his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon.
The 20th overall pick of the Sharks in the 2020 draft has 26 points in 39 games for the Sharks' AHL affiliate San Jose Barracuda.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators host the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Lines at morning skate as per TSN's Claire Hanna:
Tkachuk-Stützle-Giroux
Joseph-Norris-Tarasenko
Greig-Pinto-Batherson
Kelly-Chartier-Kastelic
Extras: Kubalik, MacEwen
Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Alfie** (place holder)
Brannstrom-JBD
Sogaard expected starter
**Jacob Chychrun did not participate in the morning skate, but head coach Jacques Martin said it was just a maintenance morning.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Forward Tyler Bertuzzi took part in the optional skate ahead of Saturday's matchup in Winnipeg.
Calle Jarnkrok did not participate. The 32-year-old forward left Friday's practice after taking a shot from defenceman Timothy Liljegren. He sustained a fractured knuckle and will be out week-to-week.
Ilya Samsonov was in the starters net, TSN's John Lu reports.
Forward Ryan Reaves will return to the Leafs lineup for the first time since Dec. 14.
Montreal Canadiens
Forward Jesse Ylonen and defenceman Jordan Harris will be in the lineup Saturday as the Canadiens take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Defenceman Arber Xhekaj will be a healthy scratch.
Xhekaj, 22, returned to the NHL club after a stint with the AHL's Laval Rocket and has produced no points and six penalty minutes in two games since being recalled.
Calgary Flames
Forward Blake Coleman took to the ice ahead of Flames morning skate after taking a shot to the hand on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Head coach Ryan Huska confirmed that Coleman would be in the lineup Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Coleman has 20 goals and 40 points in 48 games this season.
Martin Pospisil skated but remains out of the lineup with an upper-body injury.
Flames lines at practice:
Huberdeau-Kadri-Zary
Sharangovich-Lindholm-Coronato
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Duehr-Schwindt-Klapka
Hanifin-Tanev
Gilbert-Andersson
Kylington-Weegar
Markstrom