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NHL Hockey Player News
Askarov was the first goalie off the ice at San Jose's morning skate.

The Sharks have been impressive lately, going 7-2-1 in their last 10, and will likely continue to roll with Askarov between the pipes on Thursday when they host the Los Angeles Kings. Askarov struggled to start the season, but has been other-worldly lately, allowing two or fewer goals in six straight (5-1-0) while posting an absurd .959 SV%. The 23-year-old goalie has a 2.99 GAA and .905 SV% in 12 games this season (6-5-1). The Sharks enter Thursday's contest as +152 home underdogs against a Kings team that leads the Pacific Division despite being in the bottom half of the league offensively (2.8 GF/GP).

Yaroslav Askarov
Laughton (upper-body) will return vs. Columbus on Thursday.

Laughton suffered a lower-body injury towards the end of training camp, made his season debut on November 5th, and only played two games before suffering an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old Laughton was limited to only four points (2G / 2A) in 20 games with the Maple Leafs after being acquired before last season's trade deadline. The Maple Leafs hope that he can return to the production he had in his previous two full seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, when he scored 82 points (31G / 51A) in 160 games.

Scott Laughton
Liljegren is expected to draw back into San Jose's lineup vs. Los Angeles on Thursday.

Shakir Mukhamadullin will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Liljegren to draw back into the lineup. The 26-year-old Liljegren is averaging a career-high 20:32 time-on-ice, recording 28 blocks, 15 hits, and four points (0G / 4A) in 13 games this season.

Timothy Liljegren
Klingberg is expected to draw back into San Jose's lineup vs. Los Angeles on Thursday.

Klingberg has five points (2G / 3A) through 13 games with the Sharks. The 33-year-old Klingberg has spent most of the season on the team's top powerplay unit. Nick Leddy will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Klingberg's return.

John Klingberg
O'Brien will draw back into Utah's lineup vs. Vegas.

Kailer Yamamoto will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing O'Brien to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old O'Brien has only played once this month. He has one goal, 12 penalty minutes, and 15 hits in seven games this season.

Liam O'Brien
Lankinen is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate.

With Thatcher Demko (lower body) still sidelined, the Canucks will likely continue rolling with Lankinen, turning to him on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Lankinen has had an up-and-down 2025-26 season, but has been excellent since Demko's injury, saving 82 of 89 shots (.921 SV%) while posting a 1-1-1 record. He has a 3.40 GAA and .890 SV% in 11 games this season (4-5-2). The Canucks enter Thursday's contest as +128 home underdogs against a Stars team they defeated 5-3 earlier this season.

Kevin Lankinen
Rosi (upper-body) skated on Thursday and has potential to return on Saturday.

Josi has been sidelined since October 23rd, but made a major step towards drawing back into the lineup by returning to practice this week. The 35-year-old defenseman had five points (1G / 4A) in eight games this season before his injury. He missed 29 games last season, largely due to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition characterized by an abnormally large increase in heart rate upon sitting up or standing.

Roman Josi
Vejmelka will start vs. Vegas on Thursday.

Utah hopes to return to the win column after losing three straight (0-0-3), turning to Vejmelka to tend the twine on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old Vejmelka has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four games (1-1-2). He has a 2.85 GAA and .880 SV% in 14 games this season (8-4-2). The Mammoth enter Thursday's contest as slight -104 home underdogs against a Vegas team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).

Karel Vejmelka
Wedgewood will start vs. the Rangers on Thursday.

Wedgewood continues to impress this season, earning regular starts despite the return of Mackenzie Blackwood, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.17 GAA and .917 SV% in 15 appearances this season (11-1-2). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five straight games (5-0-0), posting a dazzling 1.40 GAA and .949 SV%. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizable -209 home favorites against a Rangers team that has scored two or fewer goals in three straight (1-2-0).

Scott Wedgewood
Copley has been recalled from Ontario (AHL).

Darcy Kuemper is not travelling with the Kings' for their Thursday night game in San Jose to receive some extra rest. The Kings have recalled Copley to serve as the backup to Anton Forsberg. The 33-year-old Copley spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying a 2.49 GAA and .904 SV% in 42 games with the Ontario Reign (24-17-1).

Pheonix Copley
Holmstrom (illness) will be a game-time decision vs. Detroit on Thursday.

Holmstrom had a breakout 2024-25 season, scoring 45 points (20G / 25A) in 75 games, and is producing at a similar, albeit slightly lower rate, in 2025-26, with nine points (4G / 5A) through 19 games. Maxim Tsyplakov will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Holmstom's return.

Simon Holmstrom
Tsyplakov is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. Detroit on Thursday.

Simon Holmstrom (illness) will return to the Islanders' lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, sending Tsyplakov back to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Tsyplakov had a decent rookie season in 2024-25, scoring 35 points (10G / 25A) in 77 games, but has struggled to produce offense in 2025-26, with only one point (1G / 0A) through 13 games.

Maxim Tsyplakov
Maatta is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. Vegas on Thursday.

Dmitri Simashev will draw back into Utah's lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, resulting in Maatta being a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Maatta is averaging a career-low 11:48 time-on-ice and has one assist in 16 games this season. Before this season, Maatta's career-average ice time was 18:27.

Olli Maatta
Simashev is expected to draw back into Utah's lineup vs. Vegas on Thursday.

Olli Maatta will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, allowing Simashev to return after a one-game absence. The 20-year-old Simashev is averaging 15:41 time-on-ice and has one assist through 19 games in his rookie season.

Dmitri Simashev
Wedgewood is expected to start vs. the Rangers on Thursday.

Wedgewood continues to impress this season, earning regular starts despite the return of Mackenzie Blackwood, and will likely return to the crease on Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old Wedgewood has a solid 2.17 GAA and .917 SV% in 15 appearances this season (11-1-2). He has allowed two or fewer goals in five straight games (5-0-0), posting a dazzling 1.40 GAA and .949 SV%. Colorado enters Thursday's contest as sizable -209 home favorites against a Rangers team that has scored two or fewer goals in three straight (1-2-0).

Scott Wedgewood