Rasmussen is on pace to set career-highs in all major offensive categories this season and has been rewarded with a four-year $12.8 million contract extension. In 55 games this season, Rasmussen has 23 points (11G / 12A), 74 shots, and 91 hits.
Gibson will return to the Ducks' crease after an ugly relief appearance in their previous game in which he allowed five goals on 14 shots (.643 SV%) vs. Toronto. The 30-year-old is having a nearly identical season to his not-so-special 2022-23 campaign, as he has an 11-19-1 record, 3.07 GAA and a .899 SV%. He takes on Buffalo on the road Monday for a matinee showdown, who has won two of their last three games but are struggling to score as they are 21st in the NHL in goals per game (2.93).
Watson returned from a three-game absence on Saturday, registering 17 penalty minutes and two hits in 9:11 time-on-ice, but will return to the pressbox on Monday as a healthy scratch. The bruising forward has played only twice in the last 10 games.
It's unclear exactly when Gibson suffered the injury, as he was able to complete the second period but did not come out for the third. Lukas Dostal replaced him. We should expect to receive an update on Gibson's injury following the conclusion of Thursday's game.
Gibson will be back between the pipes for the Ducks when they travel to Ottawa on Thursday after Lukas Dostal got the nod in Tuesday's 5-0 defeat to the Canadiens. Gibson was forced to leave his last start on February 9th against the Oilers due to a lower-body injury, allowing two goals on 21 shots before giving way to Dostal. Gibson had been enjoying a nice stretch of form prior to the injury, posting a 2-0-1 record and a .919 SV% across his last four appearances. He'll be hard-pressed to come away with a victory on Thursday as the Ducks find themselves as +195 underdogs in Ottawa.
Hamonic, who has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury, will replace Jake Sanderson (lower-body). Hamonic comes in with five points (2G / 3A) in 40 games this season.
Kane has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury but is expected to play Saturday vs. the Canucks. Kane has picked up 16 points (7G / 9A) in 19 games since signing with the Red Wings. He is expected to skate with JT Compher and David Perron.
Head coach Greg Cronin did not have much of an update on Gibson's status post-game, only saying that he "cramped up or something.” Consider Gibson questionable for Tuesday's game in Montreal.
The Ducks make their return to the ice from the All-Star break on Friday night and will turn to John Gibson between the pipes. Gibson last played on January 31st, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. The 30-year-old Gibson has a tough task at hand as the Ducks are significant +236 road underdogs against a high-scoring Edmonton Oilers club that lost for the first time in 16 games on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Watson will play for the first time since January 21st as head coach Jon Cooper looks to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of Tampa's back-to-back. Watson has two goals and one assist in 26 games this season.
Hamonic has been out since January 21st due to an upper-body injury and is healthy and ready to go Saturday vs. Toronto. The 33-year-old veteran defenseman has done little to contribute offensively this season, with two goals, five points, 38 PIMs, and 39 SOG through 40 games before his injury.
Chiarot has not played since January 19th, missing five games with an upper-body injury, but could return to the lineup as soon as Saturday. Chiarot has 12 points (3G / 9A), 84 hits, and 93 blocks in 45 games this season and will likely replace Justin Holl when he is ready to return.
