Sharks Get Rookie Forward Back Against Utah HC; Other Lineup Questions Remain

San Jose Sharks rookie Will Smith returns to the lineup against Utah HC, but other players will be out or are questionable.

Tyler Toffoli is a game-time decision for the San Jose Sharks tonight as he is dealing with an illness.

Toffoli has three goals in the last five games and leads the team with 12 this season. He played on a line with Macklin Celebrini and Nikolai Kovalenko against the St. Louis Blues. Celebrini and Kovalenko each recorded three points in that game.

Klim Kostin left Thursday's game against the Blues after getting into a scrum in the second period and did not return. Today, Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said the big winger suffered an upper-body injury.

San Jose has placed Kostin on injured reserve and activated Will Smith.

Smith returns after suffering an injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 5.

"I just got a little banged up, and I just wanted to be safe and kind of strengthen it back up a little bit," Smith said. "I'm ready to go."

Warsofsky wasn't exactly sure when the injury happened but told reporters he wants to see his rookie forward use his legs against Utah HC tonight.

"He's got to make sure he's skating tonight with a skilled team," Warsofsky said. "I'm sure there'll be some rust there."

Smith took line rushes on the third line with Alexander Wennberg and Barclay Goodrow. 

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