News and notes from around the NHL this morning:
- Both Alex Galchenyuk and Andrew Shaw return to the Montreal Canadiens lineup tonight against the New York Rangers, the team announced this morning. Galchenyuk suffered a lower body injury on December 4, 2016 and has been out of the lineup since. Shaw returns from a concussion suffered December 12. According to TSN’s Amanda Stein, Galchenyuk will skate with Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov on Montreal’s top line.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned forward Matthew Peca to the AHL Syracuse Crunch this morning, reports tampabaylightning.com beat writer Bryan Burns. The young forward—with no relation to former NHLer Michael Peca—has struggled in his nine games with the Lightning this year, posting only 1G and 1A in that timeframe. His numbers in Syracuse are much better, though, with 5G and 12A in 28 games.
- The Toronto Maples Leafs have called up goaltender Garret Sparks from the AHL Toronto Marlies this morning, reports The Athletic’s David Alter. The move explains why the Marlies signed CIS Ryerson Rams goaltender Taylor Dupuis to an amateur tryout this morning, as first reported by the Athletic’s James Mirtle. As TSN’s Kristen Shilton points out, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organizational moves have left the Marlies in a precarious position goaltending-wise. Jhonas Enroth was traded, Jeff Glass was released, and Karri Ramo is still recovering from another knee surgery. Sparks’ recall indicates that Frederik Andersen may be injured, as newly acquired backup Curtis McElhinney is scheduled to start tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes. Update: The Athletic’s James Mirtle reports that Curtis McElhinney may have an injury that could keep him out of tonight’s game.
- Projected 2017 first overall draft pick Nolan Patrick returned to action last night after missing 35 games with a sports hernia. As TheScore reports, Patrick tallied 2G and 2A for the Brandon Wheat Kings as they beat the Kootenay Ice 8-5. The consensus number one pick this summer has 13 points in just 7 games this year for Brandon, and follows a 102 point campaign last year.