McDavid Returns as Oilers Face Kraken; Red Wings Sign Shine

DETROIT, Mich. — The NHL schedule heats up Monday with five games, including the return of Connor McDavid to the Edmonton Oilers lineup after serving a three-game suspension. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings made headlines by signing longtime Grand Rapids Griffins forward Dominik Shine to a two-year contract and recalling him to the NHL.

McDavid, the Oilers’ captain, was suspended for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson on Jan. 18. The Oilers (31-15-3) went 2-1-0 in his absence and have won six of their past eight games. McDavid, who has 65 points (20 goals, 45 assists) in 43 games this season, will face the Seattle Kraken (22-25-3) at 9:30 p.m. ET.

In Detroit, the Red Wings (23-21-5) signed 31-year-old Dominik Shine, a fan favorite from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, where he has played 462 games since 2016-17. Shine, a Pinckney, Mich., native, is having a career year with 32 points in 40 games. He could make his NHL debut Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings (26-14-6) at Little Caesars Arena.

The Red Wings are dealing with several injuries, including J.T. Compher, who is out after a high hit from Tampa Bay‘s Emil Lilleberg, and Patrick Kane, who was placed on injured reserve. Vladimir Tarasenko is questionable due to illness, potentially opening the door for Shine to step in.

Elsewhere, the Vancouver Canucks (21-17-10) visit the St. Louis Blues (23-23-4) at 7:30 p.m. ET. Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes is on the verge of tying a franchise record for consecutive goals by a defenseman, having scored both goals in a 2-1 win against the Washington Capitals on Saturday.

The New Jersey Devils (28-17-6) face the Philadelphia Flyers (22-22-6) at 7 p.m. ET, while the Pittsburgh Penguins (20-23-8) take on the struggling San Jose Sharks (14-32-6) at 10:30 p.m. ET.