Around the NHL: Devils' Luke Hughes to make playoff debut; Kraken's McCann skates

Looking to shake things up, Devils head coach Lindy Ruff plans on giving rookie defenceman Luke Hughes his playoff debut.

Hughes, the Devils' fourth-overall pick from 2021, will play in Game 3. The 19-year-old had a goal and an assist in two regular-season games, after signing with the club upon completing his sophomore season at the University of Michigan.

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Kraken welcomed leading scorer Jared McCann back to practice on Saturday, but coach Dave Hakstol doesn't expect the forward to be available for Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series against Dallas on Sunday.

McCann has been out since getting hurt early in Game 4 of Seattle's opening-round series against Colorado on a hit from Cale Makar that drew a one-game suspension. McCann's injury has not been disclosed, with Hakstol only saying that he's working through his ``injury protocol.''

Hakstol said McCann skated a couple of times while the team was in Dallas for the first two games against the Stars. But Saturday's optional skate with McCann in a red no-contact jersey was his first stint back with his teammates.

``We'll just keep progressing. I don't really have an update other than the fact that he's on the ice and he's able to be out there with the optional skate today, which is a really good step for him,'' Hakstol said. ``We'll just continue progressing. Nothing imminent in terms of return.''

Four players were missing from the Panthers' practice on Saturday, but Toronto fans should not get their hopes up too high about it meaning much.

Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Josh Mahura, and Ryan Lomberg were all absent, according to Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now. The first three players named are all expected to be in the lineup for Game 3, according to Guy.

Lomberg was injured in Game 1 of Florida's first-round series against Boston and has not played since.

-- With files from AP.