Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (lower body) will return to the lineup on Sunday against the New York Rangers, Danny Webster of the Las VegasReview-Journal reports. He is available for selection after missing one game due to a lower-body injury. Hart made his Golden Knights debut earlier this week, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in a shootout. He finished his first NHL outing since January 2024 with 27 saves on 30 shots. The Golden Knights haven't yet named their starter for Sunday's contest. Akira Schmid is coming off a shutout performance on Friday night against the New Jersey Devils and may remain between the sticks against a Rangers team that has gone a horrible 3-8-2 on home ice this season.

Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard (upper body) will be on the shelf for the foreseeable future. He was placed on Injured Reserve on Sunday, with Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery saying that Leonard will miss an "extended period of time" after he sustained an upper-body injury in Friday's loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Right before the Ducks game, Leonard became only the fourth Capitals player over the past 40 years to record a four-point game at age 20 or younger. Overall, he has tallied 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 29 games, ranking fourth in scoring among first-year players. Sonny Milano is projected to take Leonard's spot on the third line Sunday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson (upper body) is regarded as a game-time decision on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has missed two games with an upper-body injury. Declan Chisholm has filled in for him and will presumably exit the lineup if Carlson is ready to return against Columbus. Carlson is having a fantastic year, averaging nearly a point per game. In 26 outings, he has contributed six goals and 17 assists. Furthermore, he is fourth on the Capitals team with 38 blocks. Carlson has met the Blue Jackets twice already this season, finishing both games with two points.

St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou (lower body) will miss Sunday's contest against the Montreal Canadiens and is considered day-to-day. He sustained a lower-body injury early in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, logging just 53 seconds of ice time. Kyrou has notched 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 28 games during a disappointing campaign. The former All-Star will join fellow forwards Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist), Alexey Toropchenko (leg burns), and Nathan Walker (upper body) on the shelf. Matt Luff is expected to replace Kyrou in the lineup, while Brayden Schenn could move up into the top six. Without Kyrou, St. Louis' first power-play unit will also have a new look.