San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings - News - December 27, 2023 | FOX Sports

Ryan McLeod Gives Oilers Hot Start With Goal 59 Seconds Into Game vs. Sharks

2 years ago

Mackenzie Blackwood - Out Thursday Blackwood (illness) is unavailable for Thursday's home game against Edmonton, per the NHL media site.

Impact Blackwood is missing his second straight contest because of the illness. Magnus Chrona will make his first career start Thursday while Kaapo Kahkonen will serve as the backup goaltender. Blackwood's next opportunity to return will be for Sunday's road match versus Colorado.

DECEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cam Talbot - Slated to start Thursday Talbot is set to start on the road against Vegas on Thursday, per Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider.

Impact Talbot saved 29 of 32 shots in a 5-3 win over Calgary in his last start Saturday. He has a 14-6-2 record, 2.06 GAA and .925 save percentage in 22 contests this season. Vegas, which has a 21-10-5 record and is tied for 11th offensively with 3.33 goals per game, is a difficult adversary. However, Talbot held his own against the Golden Knights in his previous two starts against them this season, posting a 1.94 GAA and a .941 save percentage in those outings.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logan Couture - Still out Thursday Couture (lower body) will remain unavailable against the Oilers on Thursday. Coach David Quinn told reporters, "This light at the end of the tunnel. There's a level of optimism tha...

Impact Couture has already been out of action for 35 games this season but could be back sooner rather than later. While the Sharks could ease the veteran back into the lineup, he likely will slot into a top-six role in addition to joining the No. 1 power-play unit. As such, Couture should have plenty of value in fantasy contests despite missing nearly half the season.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Magnus Chrona - Gets first NHL start Thursday Chrona will be between the home pipes versus Edmonton on Thursday, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Chrona will make his first career NHL start as Kaapo Kahkonen started Wednesday and Mackenzie Blackwood is out of action with an illness. Chrona gave up four goals on 17 shots in relief of Blackwood versus Pittsburgh on Nov. 4. He has spent most of the season in the AHL, where he was 3-6-2 with a 3.35 GAA and .900 save percentage. Chrona will not have an easy matchup versus Connor McDavid and the Oilers, who are seventh in NHL scoring, averaging 3.43 goals per game.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ryan Carpenter - Activated Thursday Carpenter (undisclosed) has been activated off injured reserve Thursday, Max Miller of The Hockey News reports.

Impact Carpenter's activation should clear the way for him to get into the lineup against the Oilers on Thursday, which leaves both Kevin Labanc and Justin Bailey as potential candidates to be relegated to the press box. Prior to getting hurt, the Florida native scored his first goal of the season but probably shouldn't be expected to start racking up points considering he has never reached the 20-point mark in his career.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Givani Smith - Goes on injured reserve Per Max Miller of The Hockey News, Smith (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday.

Impact Smith was injured Dec. 21 versus Arizona and his status will likely be retroactive to that date. Smith has gone 11 games without a point and has a goal, two assists, 45 hits and 33 PIM in 26 games this season.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE