National Hockey

PITTSBURGH — Kasperi Kapanen's left foot is on the mend. The Pittsburgh forward practiced with his teammates without restrictions Wednesday for the first time since being placed on injured reserve last month.

A few years from now, Brandt Clarke might be able to brag he took the Auston Matthews path to the NHL by playing in Europe during his draft year. “He kind of went over voluntarily,” Clarke said. “I went over out of desperation.

Carolina Hurricanes (30-10-5, first in the Central Division) vs. Florida Panthers (30-12-5, second in the Central Division) Sunrise, Florida; Thursday, 7 p.m.

Ottawa Senators (16-26-4, seventh in the North Division) vs. Vancouver Canucks (18-18-3, sixth in the North Division) Vancouver, British Columbia; Thursday, 10 p.m.

Columbus Blue Jackets (15-24-9, eighth in the Central Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (30-14-2, third in the Central Division) Tampa, Florida; Thursday, 7 p.m.

Dallas Stars (19-14-12, fifth in the Central Division) vs. Detroit Red Wings (16-25-7, seventh in the Central Division) Detroit; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia Flyers (20-18-7, sixth in the East Division) vs. New York Rangers (23-17-6, fifth in the East Division) New York; Thursday, 7 p.m.

Washington Capitals (29-13-4, first in the East Division) vs. New York Islanders (29-13-4, second in the East Division) Uniondale, New York; Thursday, 7 p.m.

Colorado Avalanche (30-9-4, second in the West Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (19-18-6, fifth in the West Division) St. Louis; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Colorado aims to keep its four-game win streak alive when the Avalanche take on St. Louis.

Toronto Maple Leafs (28-13-5, first in the North Division) vs. Winnipeg Jets (27-15-3, second in the North Division) Winnipeg, Manitoba; Thursday, 7 p.m.