Pens goalie Murray nearing return

Penguins goaltender Matt Murray is nearing a return from a lower-body injury that has sidelined him since mid-November.

The two-time Stanley Cup winner practiced with his teammates Tuesday for the first time since going on IR last month. Murray is 4-5-1 with a 4.08 goals-against average in 11 appearances this season.

Murray said he’s uncertain when he’ll be cleared to play.

William Nylander had two assists and Morgan Rielly scored the go-ahead goal to give the Maple Leafs a 4-1 win over the host Hurricanes. The assists were the first points of the season for Nylander, who missed the first 28 games before signing a six-year, $41.7 million deal. ... Alex Ovechkin scored his 21st hat trick and first this season to lift the host Capitals over the Red Wings 6-2. Nicklas Backstrom had four assists and T.J. Oshie added a goal in his return from an 11-game to help the Caps claim their third straight victory and 10th in 12 games. ... The Ducks claimed G Chad Johnson off waivers from the Blues after announcing that backup G Ryan Miller will be out about six weeks with a sprained knee. Also, Ducks F Rickard Rakell is out indefinitely because of a sprained ankle.

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