Ducks’ Kirkland in hospital

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Anaheim forward Justin Kirkland was hospitalized overnight after getting into a car accident on his way to the Ducks’ game against the Boston Bruins on Sunday night.

The Ducks announced Monday that Kirkland remains under evaluation, but has full mobility and is communicating with his family and with visiting teammates. They expect Kirkland to be released from the hospital within the next two days.

“We are thankful for the quick care and treatment Justin received from first responders and medical staff at UCI Health,” Anaheim general manager Pat Verbeek said. “Justin is in great spirits, and we hope he will be released shortly.”

The 26-year-old forward made his NHL debut on Dec. 20 with the Ducks, who signed him as a free agent last summer. He was a third-round pick by Nashville in the 2014 draft, and he spent most of the past six seasons in the AHL with affiliates for the Predators and the Calgary Flames.

BRIEFLY

BLACKHAWKS: Coach Luke Richardson said Patrick Kane probably would return for the Blackhawks’ next game, against Colorado on Thursday. “I think it will give him the proper rest and he’ll feel more comfortable,” Richardson said. “Skating’s good. It’s the wear and tear and banging of the game that we’re concerned about. If it just catches the wrong way, it could catch on him and he’s probably going downwards in progression. A couple more days (off) this week will really make a difference.”

— Associated Press

500 On this date in 2016, Washington’s Alex Ovechkin scored his 500th and 501st goals to become the 43rd NHL player to reach the milestone, and the Washington Capitals beat the Ottawa Senators 7-1. That came eight years after, on the same day in 2008, Ovechkin signed a 13-year, $124 million extension with the Capitals.

— Associated Press