NHL Player News

Gudbranson (hip) will be activated off injured reserve ahead of Thursday's clash with Vancouver, Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers reports.

Gudbranson looks poised to play for the first time since Oct. 25 versus the Penguins. Even with his activation, the veteran blueliner is far from a lock to play on a nightly basis and could periodically serve as a healthy scratch. In order to clear a roster spot for Gudbranson, Dysin Mayo will likely be shipped back to the minors.

Thompson will be between the home pipes versus San Jose on Thursday, according to Sammi Silber of The Hockey News.

Thompson has been sharp in his last two games, allowing three goals on 49 shots in victories over Chicago and Montreal. Overall, the netminder is 17-12-4 with a 2.34 GAA and a .916 save percentage. The Sharks are generating 3.13 goals per game, 14th in the NHL.

Gustafsson was summoned from AHL Grand Rapids on Thursday.

Gustafsson played well in Grand Rapids this season, tallying a pair of goals, 18 assists and a plus-18 rating in 22 AHL contests. The Red Wings are down to 12 healthy forwards, and it's possible that Gustafsson could see some action up front if the team runs into an injury problem ahead of its game versus San Jose on Friday.

Clarke scored a goal on three shots, blocked three shots and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights.

Clarke tied the game at 18:33 of the third period, forcing overtime and ultimately salvaging a standings point for the Kings. The 22-year-old defenseman had gone 17 games without a goal since potting a pair Dec. 6 versus the Blackhawks. In that span, he had eight assists and 32 shots on net. For the season, Clarke is up to a career-high six goals with 17 assists, 92 shots on net, 82 blocked shots, 26 PIM, 22 hits and a plus-9 rating over 46 appearances in a top-four role.

Fiala scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist, added two PIM and blocked two shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights.

Fiala had gone three games without a point entering Wednesday, but he was arguably the Kings' best player in this contest. The 29-year-old winger is up to 17 goals, 16 helpers, 129 shots on net, 28 hits, 28 PIM and a minus-8 rating over 46 appearances. He's been listed on the third line lately, but with the Kings forced to dress seven defensemen, there have been extra minutes for Fiala to take.

Kuemper allowed three goals on 27 shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Golden Knights.

Kuemper took his fourth straight loss, but he was at least able to keep this one close. He's surrendered 14 goals during the skid. The 35-year-old netminder could cede some playing time to Anton Forsberg if he doesn't right the ship. Kuemper is 12-9-8 with a 2.50 GAA and a .904 save percentage over 30 appearances this season. The Kings begin a home-and-home set versus the Ducks on Friday in Los Angeles.

Eichel logged three assists, four shots on goal, two blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kings.

One of Eichel's helpers came on the power play. He's been excellent in January with four goals and six assists over seven contests this month. The 29-year-old center is up to 51 points (19 on the power play), 143 shots on net, 26 blocked shots, 23 hits and a plus-8 rating through 38 appearances. Eichel still hasn't scored with the man advantage this season, but his work as a facilitator has been more than enough to keep the Golden Knights productive.

Bowman scored a goal on two shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kings.

Bowman snapped a four-game point drought with the tally. It was his first goal since Dec. 2, and he had five assists, 19 shots and a minus-9 rating over 17 appearances between goals. The 22-year-old winger started his career hot, but he's settled into a bottom-six role after cooling off. He has six goals, 15 points, 44 shots on net and a minus-10 rating over 29 outings. Bowman's place in the lineup could be at risk once Brett Howden (lower body) or Brandon Saad (undisclosed) gets healthy.

Marner scored a power-play goal on four shots in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kings.

Marner has two goals and five assists over his last five outings. The 28-year-old put the Golden Knights ahead 2-1 at 12:07 of the third period, but Brandt Clarke would force overtime before Mark Stone won it for Vegas. Marner has 11 goals, 47 points (14 on the power play), 87 shots on net and a plus-8 rating through 45 appearances in a top-six role this season.

Stone scored a goal on three shots and added a power-play assist in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win over the Kings.

Stone extended his point streak to nine games with this effort, which was his third multi-point showing in the last four contests. The 33-year-old set up Mitch Marner's tally in the third period before scoring the game-winner himself 25 seconds into overtime. Stone is now at 16 goals, including eight scored during his streak, along with 27 helpers, 70 shots on net and a plus-9 rating through 29 appearances.