Welcome to the NHL buzz. Throughout the 2021-2022 season, NHL.com will bring you the latest news.

Vegas Golden Knights

Max Pacioretty will be a game time decision against the Nashville Predators on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; BSSO, ATTSN-RM, ESPN +, NHL LIVE).

The forward hasn’t played since October 14, when he suffered a lower body injury against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 2 of the season.

“He skated with us in the last game, but he wasn’t an option,” said Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer. “He skated with us again this morning. We will see how the afternoon goes and then decide at the time of the match.

Pacioretty scored three points (two goals, one assist) in two games. – John Glennon and Danny Webster

Nashville Predators

Philippe Forsberg could play against the Golden Knights on Wednesday.

The forward skated on a line with Ryan johansen and Eeli Tolvanen during the morning skating. He has not played since a 3-2 overtime win over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 2 with an upper-body injury. He left the ice at 10:16 of the third period following a collision with a teammate Romain Josi.

Forsberg trained for the first time since the injury on Monday and did some conditioning work on Tuesday.

“We have to see,” Predators coach John Hynes said. “He had a good practice yesterday with some of the extras, then he skated this morning. I still have to talk to the coaches and see where he is. I don’t know if he is in or out yet.

“We want to make sure he feels comfortable and that our medical staff feel comfortable. A lot of times that happens in the next step here.”

Forsberg has scored seven points (four goals, three assists) in nine games. – John Glennon

Kings of Los Angeles

Drew doughty Skated Wednesday in a full-contact jersey for the first time since his knee injury on October 22.

“He had a doctor’s appointment yesterday and the doctors cleared him up a gear,” coach Todd McLellan said. “He’s going to be fully involved in the skating today and in our training for the next few moments, and he’s getting closer to playing.

The defenseman, who received a blow to the knee by Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa in a 3-2 overtime loss to Dallas, returned to skating for the Kings on Friday.

Doughty was scheduled to be out for eight weeks and needed six weeks to resume skating. Friday marked four weeks since the injury.

He is not expected to play when the Kings host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET; TNT, SNO, NHL LIVE).

At the time of the injury, Doughty was second in Los Angeles with seven points (one goal, six assists) in four games and first in average ice time per game (22:37).

Blues de Saint-Louis

Brayden schenn will return to the Detroit Red Wings roster (7:30 p.m. ET; BSDET +, BSMW, ESPN +, NHL LIVE) after the forward missed nine games with an upper-body injury.

Schenn was injured in the first period of a game against the San Jose Sharks on November 4.

“It’s really good to see him again,” said Blues coach Craig Berube. “He pushed even the last game too, but we held it up. He’s ready to play. He’s a very good player for us, a two-way player. We know that. He can offend us, but he’s playing a tough game and doing a lot for us. We’re delighted to have him back. “

Schenn scored six points (three goals, three assists) in nine games. The Blues were 3-5-1 without him.

“He is an emotional leader for us”, the defender Torey Krug noted. “We miss his physique, his touch of goal. He does everything for us, so he’s a jack of all trades. Finding him in the lineup is a big step for our group and for our consistency at the center. better today by putting it in alignment. ” – Louie Korac

Washington Capitals

Nicklas Backstrom skated with the Capitals for the first time this season when he participated in their morning practice Wednesday wearing a dark blue non-contact jersey.

The center has not played this season due to a hip injury, and coach Peter Laviolette has said there is no timeline for when Backstrom will be ready.

Backstrom has been skating alone for a month.

“It’s another step,” Laviolette said. “It’s really good to have him there just to see him on the ice. It’s a little different when someone is away for a week and comes back with a blue jersey and working. to come back, so he’s still got work to do. We’re always going to work in Nick’s best interests, but the fact that he’s joined us on a skateboard is definitely a real positive for everyone. Really good. “

Cheeky TJ Oshie (lower body) has been placed in the injured reserve and will miss its second straight game when Washington plays host to the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET; SN1, SNE, SNO, NBCSWA +, RDS, ESPN +, NHL LIVE).

Cheeky Conor Sheary (upper body) skated briefly before morning practice, but will also miss his second game in a row. – Tom Gulitti