McIlrath, 22, has not record a point in eight games with Hartford this season. He has been recalled after the Rangers lost Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein to injuries on Saturday night. McIlrath has not recorded a point in two career NHL games.
Jenner skated with a glove on his injured hand and handled pucks for the third straight practice. There’s still no defined date for Jenner’s return, but he knows he is getting closer. “It’s hard to put a number on that day, that’s the thing," Jenner said. "You just try to see when you’re ready to go. And if today’s the day then you take it from there. He remains day-to-day, but this is finally some positive news on the Blue Jackets' injury front.
Wilson was originally listed as a game-time decision, but he will be in the lineup with Eric Fehr coming out of the lineup. He will start on the fourth line, but there was some chatter in the preseason that the Capitals were thinking about having him playing on the top line with Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin, so he might be someone to keep an eye on.
Wilson, 20, was recently recalled from his conditioning stint with Hershey and rotated in on the Capitals fourth line in the morning skate. Head coach Barry Trotz called him a game-time decision, which likely means he will take warmups and a decision will be made then. If he plays, Eric Fehr will come out.
Wilson, 20, missed the start of the season after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. Wilson had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 82 games with the Capitals last season and failed to record a point in two games while he was getting back up to speed in Hershey.
Jenner has been sidelined since the preseason after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand. Jenner is nearly four weeks into a five-week timetable, so his return to the ice appears to be right on schedule. Expect him to skate with the Blue Jackets throughout the week and likely return this weekend or next week.
Wilson is nearly ready to return after having offseason ankle surgery. He will head to the Hershey Bears where he should practice throughout the week and likely play this weekend. He should be back with the Capitals really soon after playing 82 games with them in his rookie season.
Jenner will miss the first month of the regular season, which is troublesome for the Blue Jackets who are currently without Nathan Horton (back) and Ryan Johansen (unsigned), all of whom were expect to be on Columbus' first line to start the season. The injury is sure to make Jenner drop in fantasy drafts, but he remains a 20-20 candidate.
With Jenner out for a month, Nathan Horton out with a back injury and Ryan Johansen still unsigned, the Blue Jackets entire projected first line is unavailable. Jenner, 21, had 16 goals and 13 assists (29 points) in 72 games in his rookie season. The 6-foot-2, 204 lbs. forward is a great goal scorer and was poised for a breakout season, but it will have to wait one month before it starts.
This is the first time that Ovechkin has skated since getting injured. The injury is believed to be minor so his participation in practice this morning is a positive sign that he will be back in tonight. We will get official word when it is made available.
Ovechkin will miss his second straight game tonight. The Capitals are having a hard time scoring goals in 2014 and missing the NHL's leading scorer will certainly hurt their lineup.
The Capitals do not play until Friday but his absence at practice today is not a good sign for Ovi. Monitor his status during Firday's morning skate, if he is available for the skate there is a good chance that he will be in the lineup tomorrow.
Ovechkin was listed as a game-time decision, but he will miss his third game of the season tonight vs. Ottawa. Troy Brouwer will move up to the top-line with Ovi out. Monitor his status prior to Friday's game in New Jersey.
There is no word when Ovechkin suffered the lower-body injury but he will be a gametime decision tonight. The Capitals have lost five straight so missing Ovechkin vs. the surging Senators would be troubling. Monitor Ovi's status leading up to puck-drop.
Things can only go up for Ovechkin as he looks to spark his offense. Being on the second line should have no bearing in his point production and could reward him with better defensive matchups. Also look for a potential boost for Grabovski on both 5-on-5 and special teams.
Justin Falk will take a seat while the 6-foot-5 McIlrath makes his NHL debut. He is not known for his offensive output as much as his rough and physical play. He was recalled when Marc Staal was placed on IR and should have a huge impact on the Rangers blueline.
McIlrath was the 10th overall pick in 2010 and is in his second season with the Rangers AHL affiliate in Hartford. He is not known for his offence as much as his physical play in defensive zone, so he does not represent a young D-Man with fantasy upside. He has been recalled because of the injury to Marc Staal and could make his NHL debut tonight.
Jenner could see increased opportunity with Gaborik out 4-6 weeks. Consider him a deep league flier at this point.
Washington gets their leading scorer back tonight after he sat out of the last two games. Ovechkin has had a strong start to the season scoring 10 and assisting on five in the first 20 games.
Ovechkin sat out both of the Capitals games this weekend with an injury he suffered last Monday. His return to practice is a positive sign that he will be ready to go tomorrow vs. the Islanders. Monitor his status prior to tomorrow's contest.
