NHL Buzz: Kuemper leaves Capitals practice with upper-body injury
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Washington Capitals
Darcy Kuemper left practice Saturday with an upper-body injury and it is unclear whether the goalie will be available to play against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday (2 p.m. ET; NHLN, BSN, BSWIX, NBCSWA, ESPN+, SN NOW).
“We’re looking at him right now,” coach Peter Laviolette said.
Laviolette wouldn’t say if Kuemper’s injury occurred during practice or if it was an ailment that was bothering him previously. Kuemper allowed four goals on 21 shots in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday.
“There’s always things going on,” Laviolette said. “There’s always things that you’re dealing with. Obviously, he was fine last night, and he came off here. So, we’re examining that right now for upper body.”
Forward Alex Ovechkin took a maintenance day and did not practice Saturday. He missed Washington’s 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday with a lower-body injury, but returned to play the past two games.
Defenseman Nick Jensen also did not practice after missing the game Friday with an upper-body injury. Laviolette said Jensen is day to day. — Tom Gulitti
Detroit Red Wings
Simon Edvinsson made his NHL debut against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
The 20-year-old defenseman, who was the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 51 games for Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League. Last season he played for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League and had 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 44 games as a 19-year-old.
Edvinsson was recalled from Grand Rapids on Friday after injuries to defensemen Ben Chariot and Gustav Lindstrom, and Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde confirmed after practice that he would play against Colorado.
“The first NHL game I ever watched was the Red Wings and Avalanche. I remember Nick Lidstrom and Peter Forsberg were both playing,” Edvinsson said. “It’s a little crazy that I’ll be playing in a game between those two teams.”
Edvinsson’s parents and brother flew in from Sweden for the game. — Dave Hogg
