Ice Chips: Sens' Norris expected to play vs. Caps
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Keep updated on all the injury news and roster updates from around the NHL with daily Ice Chips.
Ottawa Senators
Head coach DJ Smith said Wednesday morning the plan is for Josh Norris to make his season debut tonight against the Washington Capitals.
Norris skated on the team's third line at practice for the second straight day between Drake Batherson and Dominik Kubalik.
Norris also worked with the first power play unit alongside Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson and Batherson.
Stutzle returned to practice today after missing Tuesday's skate (maintenance).
Winnipeg Jets
Gabriel Vilardi was absent from the Jets skate on Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's loss against the Los Angeles Kings with an injury.
Rasmus Kupari filled Vilardi's spot on the first line beside Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. Kupari opened Tuesday's game as the team's fourth-line centre.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed Ilya Samsonov will get the start tomorrow night against the Florida Panthers.
In two starts this season, the 26-year-old is 2-0 with a .839 save percentage and 4.42 goals-against average.
Matthew Knies moved up to the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander in Wednesday's practice.
Max Domi, Fraser Minten and Calle Jarnkrok formed the third line. Noah Gregor was up to the first line with Tyler Bertuzzi absent due to maintenance.
Bertuzzi, 28, has one goal and three games to start the season, his first with the Maple Leafs after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract as a free agent this summer.
The Maple Leafs are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Defenceman Zach Werenski took part in practice Friday and said he is hopeful to play Friday against the Calgary Flames.
Werenski has been sidelined by a quad injury sustained in the team's opening game.
Florida Panthers
Sam Bennett will not play Thursday against the Toronto Maple Lefas due to a lower-body injury.
The team used the following forward lines in practice:
Rodrigues - Barkov - Reinhart
Verhaeghe - Luostarinen - Tkachuk
Cousins - Lundell - Sourdif
Lomberg - Stenlund - Lorentz
Lockwood
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have assigned defenceman Akito Hirose to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks and recalled defenceman Mark Friedman from the AHL.
Friedman was acquired along with Ty Glover on Oct. 17 from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek.