The availability for Maple Leafs winger William Nylander for tonight’s series opener against Boston is up in the air. He didn’t take part in the game day skate today and head coach Sheldon Keefe didn’t have any updates. Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic reports (Twitter link) that the injury isn’t something he was trying to play through down the stretch (where he struggled, notching just four points – all assists – in his final 11 games). Instead, he woke up with some discomfort on Thursday that has made him uncertain for this one. Despite the late-season struggles, Nylander finished second on Toronto in scoring this season, picking up 40 goals for the second straight year while posting a career-best 58 assists and 98 points.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic:
- The Bruins announced that they’ve returned blueliner Mason Lohrei to AHL Providence, one day after being recalled. The 23-year-old has been recalled to the NHL roster on 11 separate occasions this season, where he got into 41 games, recording 13 points and 63 blocks in just under 17 minutes a night of action, good numbers for a rookie. Lohrei also has played in 19 contests with Providence, picking up a goal and 14 helpers. If Lohrei isn’t going to be in Boston’s lineup, it makes more sense to have him continue to play in the minors but if an injury strikes on the back end in the playoffs, he could be recalled once more.
- The Panthers have added goaltender Evan Cormier to their roster, relays George Richards of Florida Hockey Now (Twitter link). The 26-year-old was converted to an NHL deal just before the trade deadline, making him eligible to be recalled. Cormier isn’t covering for an injury but instead will serve as Florida’s third-string emergency option and a practice netminder. He spent most of this season with ECHL Florida, posting a 2.93 GAA and a .907 SV% in 22 games.
- Panthers netminder Spencer Knight was named the recipient of the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award, per an announcement from the AHL. The award goes to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination, and dedication to hockey. Knight spent the entire season in the minors after coming back from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to receive help with managing obsessive-compulsive disorder. The 23-year-old has a 2.45 GAA and a .904 SV% in 44 games with AHL Charlotte this season and will stay down there to help in their playoff run; he’ll likely take Cormier’s spot as the third-string option once the Checkers are eliminated.