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).

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.

Timothy Liljegren will draw back into San Jose's lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, sending Mukhamadulin to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Mukhamadulin has four assists in nine games this season.

John Klinberg will return from a one-game absence as a healthy scratch, swapping with Nick Leddy. The 34-year-old Leddy has two assists and is averaging 17:30 time-on-ice through nine games this season.

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.

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.

Liam O'Brien will draw back into Utah's lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, sending Yamamoto to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 27-year-old Yamamoto has three points (2G / 1A) in 13 games this season.

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.

Borgen returned from a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury on Tuesday, but will return to the sidelines on Thursday. The 28-year-old Borgen has two points (1G / 2A) and is averaging 18:38 time-on-ice through 19 games this season.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).

Tarasenko has missed three straight games due to a lower-body injury, and has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to November 11th. The 33-year-old Tarasenko, in his first season with Minnesota, has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 18 games.

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 (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.

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 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.

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).