Eastern Conference Injuries: Penguins, Lightning, Devils, Blue Jackets, Sabres and Maple Leafs
Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …

Jason Mackey: Carl Hagelin and Conor Sheary skated yesterday morning. Hagelin is still in concussion protocol.

Pens Inside Scoop: Coach Mike Sullivan: “Hagelin skated this morning. He’s still status quo. We’ll see how he responds after today and we’ll go from there.”

TSN: Forward Bryan Rust will be out “longer term” according to coach Mike Sullivan. They are hopeful his upper-body injury is not a season ending injury. They won’t put a time frame on it.

Forward Evgeni Malkin skated with teammates and will be a game-time decision tonight.

On the Tampa Bay Lightning …

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: The Lightning should know in the next few weeks the status of forward Ryan Callahan. He’s been rehabbing his hip injury and doesn’t appear to be close to returning. He’ll be re-evaluated after the Lightning’s bye week.

It could be in the best interest of both sides to shut him down for the season if he’s not progressing enough. Callahan has three years left on his deal at a $5.8 million cap hit.

On the New Jersey Devils …

Chris Ryan of NJ.com: Both Beau Bennett and Jon Merrill took part in full practice yesterday and are very close to returning to the lineup.

“Both those guys we wanted to have the full practice today, make sure everything’s good with them,” Hynes said. “Then if they do it, I’ll talk to the trainer later today, he’ll say they’re ready to go and then it’s coach’s decision after that.”

Chris Ryan: The Devils could put defenseman Kyle Quincey on the IR, which would open up spots for both Jon Merrill and Beau Bennett.

On the Columbus Blue Jackets …

Columbus Blue Jackets: Forward Scott Hartnell left last night’s game with a lower-body injury.

On the Buffalo Sabres …

John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Defenseman Zach Bogosian has been out with a rib injury since February 2nd. He thinks he ready to return.

“I’m packed for the trip,” the defenseman said in KeyBank Center. “I feel good. I’m prepared to go on the trip, and I’m mentally getting ready for the game tomorrow.

“That being said, I still have to have a few more conversations before any of that really plays out.”

Neither forwards Zemgus Girgensons (full-body) and William Carrier (knee) are not travelling with the team.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

David Alter: Nikita Soshnikov practiced yesterday. He’s been out for two games with an upper-body injury.