NHL Player News

Romanov notched an assist, three shots on goal and six blocked shots in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins.

Romanov has picked up the pace on offense with five assists over his last seven outings. The 25-year-old is firmly in a top-four role, but typically more for his defensive performance than his scoring. Overall, the blueliner is at seven assists, 39 shots on net, 71 hits, 65 blocked shots, 18 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 29 appearances.

Larsson (upper body) will play against New Jersey on Monday, according to Mike Benton of the Kraken Audio Network.

Larsson participated in Monday's morning skate after leaving Saturday's 4-2 loss to Edmonton in the second period. He has accounted for six assists, seven points, 52 shots on goal, 83 blocked shots and 55 hits through 40 appearances this season.

Ekblad (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision against Colorado on Monday, per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald.

Ekblad wasn't on the ice for practice Sunday or Monday, which would seem to point to him not being available to face the Avalanche. The blueliner is currently mired in a five-game point drought on top of a seven-game goal drought. Still, if he plays, Ekblad should see plenty of time with the man advantage and could break out of his funk sooner rather than later.

Mikkola (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's road game against Colorado, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Mikkola has missed the last four games due to his upper-body injury, but he participated in Sunday's practice session. The Panthers want to monitor how he feels in the hours leading up to Monday's puck drop before determining his status, but even if he's unable to suit up against the Avalanche, he'll likely be able to return to game action soon.

Marino (back) participated in Monday's practice session in a regular jersey, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Marino has been sidelined since the start of the regular season due to a lower-back injury that required surgery in late October. However, his participation in Monday's practice in a regular jersey is certainly an encouraging sign. The 27-year-old will likely need some time to ramp up given his lengthy absence, but he seems to be trending in the right direction.

Jensen (illness) participated in Monday's practice, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

Jensen should be available to play against Detroit on Tuesday after skipping Sunday's session. According to TSN 1200 Ottawa, he appeared to favor his right leg during a drill in Monday's session, but if that isn't a problem, he should be in the lineup versus the Red Wings. Jensen has two goals, 13 points, 45 shots on net, 44 blocked shots and 37 hits in 38 appearances this season. Still, Ottawa may recall another defenseman ahead of Tuesday's game for insurance after Jacob Bernard-Docker (lower body) sustained an injury in Monday's practice and Travis Hamonic (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

Head coach John Hynes said Monday that Middleton's (hand) return to game action is "imminent," Jessi Pierce of NHL.com reports.

Middleton has been on long-term injured reserve since mid-December due to a hand injury, but he's close to returning to game action. Whether the 29-year-old will be available for Tuesday's home matchup against the Blues remains to be seen, but it wouldn't be surprising to at least see him back in action sometime in the first half of January.

Pulock recorded one goal and two assists in Sunday's 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins.

This was Pulock's first multi-point effort of the season, and the Islanders needed every one of his contributions in this high-scoring win. This was just his second goal of the season, but he's been a playmaker on the blue line with 13 assists through 40 appearances.

Petry (undisclosed) won't play versus Ottawa on Tuesday, per Max Bultman of The Athletic.

Petry didn't practice Monday and will miss his second straight outing. He has generated one goal, five assists, 23 shots on net, 56 blocked shots and 39 hits across 34 appearances this season. Albert Johansson replaced Petry in the lineup for Saturday's 4-2 win over Winnipeg.

Bernard-Docker needed to be helped off the ice at practice Monday and is undergoing further evaluation, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports.

Bernard-Docker appeared to be headed for the press box for Tuesday's matchup with Detroit even prior to getting hurt, as Nikolas Matinpalo was skating on the third pairing. Still, if the 24-year-old Bernard-Docker can't play, the Senators may need to call up a player from the minors to at least serve as an emergency depth option.