If Gudbranson is unable to play on Tuesday, expect Andrew Peeke to draw back into the lineup for the Blue Jackets. Gudbranson has played all 26 games for the Blue Jackets this season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A), averaging 19:47 time-on-ice, and registering a -11 plus/minus through 26 games.
Talbot took the loss in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Capitals on Wednesday despite facing just 15 shots. It snapped a personal three-game winning streak for Talbot, and he'll be eager to get back in the win column against the Avalanche on Sunday. The 36-year-old has been a pleasant surprise for the Kings this season, registering a .928 SV% and a 10-4-1 record in his first season in Los Angeles. He and the Kings are slight home favourites (-135) against Colorado on Sunday.
An undisclosed injury to Cole Sillinger has resulted in Johnson drawing back into the Blue Jackets lineup. Johnson struggled to find his footing with the Blue Jackets this season after an impressive 2022-23 rookie campaign that saw him score 40 points (16G / 24A) in 79 games. Johnson was reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters earlier this season, dominating with 15 points (5G / 10A) in 10 games. He will hope to make an impact immediately as he is expected to skate on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner.
Olivier will draw back into the Blue Jackets lineup along with Kent Johnson as Cole Sillinger is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, and Eric Robinson will be a healthy scratch. In 12 games this season, Olivier has three points (0G / 3A), 12 penalty minutes, and 30 hits, averaging 9:48 time-on-ice.
Sillinger has been playing some of his best hockey of late but is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury for the time being and will miss Friday's game vs. Ottawa. The 20-year-old is in his third NHL season and has a goal, eight assists, 42 SOG, 15 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 24 games so far this season.
Sillinger exited Wednesday's loss to the Montreal Canadiens with an undisclosed injury and his status on Friday against the Ottawa Senators doesn't seem promising after he was unable to participate in practice on Thursday. The Blue Jackets also recalled Kent Johnson from Cleveland (AHL), adding to the speculation that Sillinger could miss some time.
Johnson will head back to Columbus four weeks after his surprise demotion to Cleveland (AHL) after he was recalled to replace the injured Damon Severson (oblique). The 21-year-old high-end prospect has re-found his game in the minors, with five goals, 10 assists, and a +5 plus/minus in 10 games played. He returns to Blue Jackets, where he had 16 goals, 24 assists, 126 SOG and 14 PIMs in 79 games played in 2022-23.
Severson exited last Sunday's contest with an upper-body injury, playing only 9:57 time-on-ice. Before his injury, Severson had three points (2G / 1A) in his last two games and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 19 games this season. He has now been placed on injured reserve and is about one week through his original six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. The move to IR has allowed the Blue Jackets to recall Kent Johnson.
Talbot will start for the Kings on Wednesday and should be well rested, having only played once in the last 10 days, a 29-save performance (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Talbot was a workhorse to start the season but could be used more conservatively moving forward as backup goalie Phoenix Copley has had consecutive strong performances, indicating he has refound his game after a poor start. In 14 games this season (10-3-1), Talbot has been among the league's best goaltenders, posting a tremendous 2.02 GAA and .931 SV%. The Kings are sizeable -203 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks 31st in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP) and has been outscored 7-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).
Talbot will likely start for the Kings on Wednesday and should be well rested, having only played once in the last 10 days, a 29-save performance (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Talbot was a workhorse to start the season but could be used more conservatively moving forward as backup goalie Phoenix Copley has had consecutive strong performances, indicating he has refound his game after a poor start. In 14 games this season (10-3-1), Talbot has been among the league's best goaltenders, posting a tremendous 2.02 GAA and .931 SV%. The Kings are sizeable -203 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks 31st in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP) and has been outscored 7-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).
Copley will take over the Kings' crease for the second time in three games Saturday vs. Montreal after stopped 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory last start. The 31-year-old Alaskan native has struggled out of the gate this season, with his 2-0-2 record, 3.75 GAA and .845 SV%. He will face the Montreal Canadiens for a matinee showdown, who has won two straight games but are 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.85).
Soucy has missed the Canucks' last five games due to a lower-body injury and was placed on the long-term injured reserve Friday. The 29-year-old defensemen was signed to a three-year, $9.75 million contract in the offseason and had two goals, three assists, 12 SOG and a +6 plus/minus in 13 games prior to the injury.
Lorentz will be a healthy scratch on Friday, signalling that Aleksander Barkov will likely return to the Panthers lineup. In 18 games this season, Lorentz has three points (1G / 2A), 10 shots, and 15 hits while averaging 8:22 time-on-ice.
Fabbro has two goals, three assists, 19 SOG, six PIMs, and a +4 plus/minus in 16 games played this season but will be the odd man out of the Predators' lineup Wednesday vs. Calgary. The 25-year-old defenseman will be replaced by Ryan McDonagh (injury) in Nashville's lineup.
Copley, widely believed to be a time-share goalie with Cam Talbot at the beginning of the season, will start for only the second time since the end of October on Monday. Oddly enough, of Copley's four starts this season, two have been against the Arizona Coyotes, who the Kings will face on Monday. In his first contest against the Coyotes, Copley was serviceable, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 6-3 victory, followed up by allowing three goals on six shots (.500 SV%) before being relieved by Talbot, who salvaged an eventual 5-4 victory for the Kings. Even with Copley between the pipes, the Kings are -144 road favourites against a Coyotes team that will be without their top-line center, Barret Hayton.
Copley, widely believed to be a time-share goalie with Cam Talbot at the beginning of the season, will likely start for only the second time since the end of October on Monday. Oddly enough, of Copley's four starts this season, two have been against the Arizona Coyotes, who the Kings will face on Monday. In his first contest against the Coyotes, Copley was serviceable, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 6-3 victory, followed up by allowing three goals on six shots (.500 SV%) before being relieved by Talbot, who salvaged an eventual 5-4 victory for the Kings. Even with Copley between the pipes, the Kings are -144 road favourites against a Coyotes team that will be without their top-line center, Barret Hayton.
