In a surprising turn of events, the Arizona Coyotes will be without their goaltender Connor Ingram for an upcoming week, a significant blow to the team amidst their ongoing struggles. Ingram, who was pulled from the game against the Minnesota Wild, made an impressive 28 saves before being replaced. According to Coach André Tourigny, Ingram won't be available for play against the Carolina Hurricanes and is expected to sit out for a week due to undisclosed reasons. This leaves the Coyotes in a tight spot, searching for solutions to fill the void left by Ingram's absence.
Coyotes Facing Multiple Challenges
The Coyotes' woes don't end with Ingram's situation. The team, currently in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, has been hit hard by injuries. Forward Travis Boyd has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and defenseman Troy Stecher is still sidelined with a lower-body injury. Moreover, Liam O’Brien is listed as day-to-day, leaving Coach Tourigny with limited options as he tries to navigate through this challenging period.
Stars and Islanders Injury Updates
Elsewhere in the NHL, the Dallas Stars and New York Islanders have their own share of injury concerns. The Stars will be without forward Evgenii Dadonov for their clash against the Edmonton Oilers, though they have been performing well recently, winning seven of their last eight games. In contrast, the status of Stars' defenseman Nils Lundkvist remains uncertain for Saturday's game.
The New York Islanders are also grappling with lineup uncertainties. Forward Hudson Fasching is questionable for the highly anticipated outdoor game against the New York Rangers, adding to the Islanders' anxiety. The team has placed Robert Bortuzzo on injury reserve, although they can draw some solace from the expected return of star forward Mathew Barzal against the Rangers.
The Hurricanes and Oilers' Injury Landscape
The Carolina Hurricanes are facing a goaltending dilemma as Antti Raanta is set to miss a couple of weeks. With Frederik Andersen still recovering from a blood clotting issue, the Hurricanes will rely on Pyotr Kochetkov and Spencer Martin to guard the net in Raanta's absence. This presents a unique challenge for the Hurricanes, who are navigating through a competitive season.
Contrastingly, the Edmonton Oilers seem to be in a more stable health-wise for their upcoming game against the Stars, with no significant injury issues reported. However, they have been struggling on the ice, losing three of their last five games, with penalties emerging as a concerning issue for the team.
Other Teams' Updates
The Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings are among other teams grappling with injury setbacks. The Bruins, currently on a three-game losing streak, will miss Matthew Poitras for the game against the Los Angeles Kings. As for the Kings, they have both Carl Grundstrom and Blake Lizotte on long-term injured reserve, though Viktor Arvidsson's return from LTIR offers some positive news.
Finally, the New York Rangers find themselves in a tight race, just one point behind the Bruins. They will be scrutinizing the fitness of Blake Wheeler, who is day-to-day with a right-leg injury. Despite this, the Rangers are riding high on a six-game winning streak, showcasing their depth and resilience in the face of adversity.
As the NHL season progresses, injuries and player availability continue to play critical roles in shaping the fortunes of teams. With playoffs on the horizon, every game and every player counts more than ever. Coaches and medical staff are undoubtedly working overtime to ensure their teams are in the best possible shape to compete, making the final stretch of the season all the more exciting and unpredictable.