Chiasson has missed the last three games with a knee injury but will play Saturday in Los Angeles. Chiasson was hot before getting hurt, scoring five goals with two assists in his last nine games. However, he will start on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and not Connor McDavid on Saturday.
Simek suffered a concussion in a collision with Sam Bennett on Monday. With Simek out on Wednesday, Joakim Ryan will draw back onto the blueline for just the second time in 15 games.
Gibson suffered an upper-body injury in the first period of Thursday’s game and did not return for the second period. The Ducks recalled Kevin Boyle from San Diego (AHL) on Friday, which suggests that Gibson will not be available for Saturday’s game. Look for Chad Johnson to start while Gibson is sidelined.
Gibson turned aside 30 of 32 shots in the Ducks loss in Buffalo last Saturday. Gibson has lost two in a row and is now 5-3-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .917 SV% in December. Tonight he will take one the Sharks for the third time this season—Gibson has gone 1-0-1 with a 2.95 GAA and .927 SV% in the first two meetings.
Copp has missed the last 10 games with an upper-body injury but is set to play Thursday vs. the Flames. Copp has just two goals and two assists (four points) in 23 games this season.
Gibson allowed three goals on 31 shots in the Ducks loss in Boston on Thursday. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for Gibson, who enters play on Saturday tied for fourth in the NHL in wins (15) and SV% (.926) and tied for 11th in GAA (2.54). He has been outstanding and should be in your lineup on the road in Buffalo.
Dries has split his campaign between the NHL and AHL. During his time with the Avalanche, Dries has four points (2G / 2A) in 16 games. Dries could be back in the lineup on Saturday with Colin Wilson going on IR.
Talbot allowed five goals on 40 shots in the Oilers loss in Winnipeg last Thursday. Talbot has been better under defensive-minded coach Ken Hitchcock but still remains a risky fantasy option and the No.2 netminder on his own team. While St. Louis has had their own struggles this year, they possess enough fire-power to make it a difficult night for Talbot.
Gibson stopped 36 of the Blue Jackets’ 37 shots in the Ducks win in Columbus on Saturday. Since November 21st, Gibson is third in wins (8), tied for fifth in SV% (.923) and 13th in GAA (2.52). Tonight he faces his hometown team in Pittsburgh—in his career he is 3-3-0 with a 3.73 GAA and .889 SV% vs. the Penguins.
Gibson allowed three goals on 29 shots in the Ducks win over the Stars on Wednesday. Gibson is 3-1-0 with a 3.43 GAA and .891 SV% in five games this December. Tonight he faces the Blue Jackets for the second time this season—he made 24 saves on 26 shots in a 3-2 overtime win on November 4th.
Gustafsson has missed the last two games with an illness but will replace Brandon Manning in the lineup on Friday. Gustafsson has scored five goals and eight assists (13 points) in 30 games this season.
Talbot allowed two goals on 33 shots in the Oilers win over the Wild last Friday. Talbot has won two straight while stopping 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%). In three starts under Ken Hitchcock, Talbot has gone 2-1-0 with a 2.29 GAA and .925 SV%. He has a difficult task tonight in Winnipeg—the Jets are 11-4-2 on home-ice this season.
Gibson allowed one goal on eight shots after replacing an injured Ryan Miller in the Ducks win over the Devils on Sunday. In his last nine appearances, Gibson has gone 6-2-0 with a 2.67 GAA and .919 SV%. Tonight he faces a Stars team that is great in Dallas but have struggled to a 6-8-2 record on the road so far this season.
