Eastern Conference News: Blue Jackets, Panthers, Devils, Senators, Penguins and Maple Leafs
Taylor Hall has a knee contusion ... Kyle Palmieri getting closer to returning
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …

1st Ohio Battery: Forward Brandon Dubinsky will be out for six to eight weeks with a fractured orbital bone.

Mark Scheig: Dubinsky was placed on the IR. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen:  “At this time, the damage has not affected the function of his eye and long-term vision. He will continue to be monitored closely by our medical team.”

On the Florida Panthers …

Matthew DeFranks: Coach Bob Boughner said that Denis Malgin is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

On the New Jersey Devils …

Chris Ryan: The Devils put forward Marcus Johansson on the IR with an ankle bruise and recalled Nick Lappin from the AHL.

Chris Ryan: Johansson to the IR is retroactive to December 9th, so he his eligible to off the IR on Monday.

Andrew Gross: Forward Kyle Palmieri will be traveling with the team to Montreal but is not expected to play. Traveling so he is able to get in a better skate this morning.

Chris Ryan of NJ.com: Devils announce that forward Taylor Hall has a right knee contusion. He had an MRI and it revealed that there is no structural damage. He’s listed as day-to-day and didn’t travel with the team to Montreal.

“The real positive news of that is there’s no (structural) damage,” Devils coach John Hynes said. “It’s just a contusion and it’s going to take him a little while to get ready, and that’s why we have him at day-to-day.”

On the Ottawa Senators …

Elliotte Friedman: The Senators have called a media conference for Thursday morning for the announcement of Chris Neil retiring from the NHL. Neil played in 1,026 NHL games.

On the Pittsburgh Penguins …

Pens Inside Scoop: Goaltender Matt Murray didn’t say if he was starting . Coach Mike Sullivan said a decision would be made .

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

Chris Johnston: Forward Auston Matthews didn’t practice yesterday and won’t be in the lineup tonight against the Wild. He is still listed as day-to-day.

Paul Hendrick: Defenseman Andreas Borgman is dealing with some bruises, nothing serious. Nikita Soshnikov flew back to Toronto because of non-specified injury.

Lance Hornby: It’s unlikely that Matthews plays on their road trip, but they wanted him to travel with them for treatment and observation. Borgman is expected to play tonight.

Darren Dreger: Believe that Soshnikov has a slight groin injury.