It’s going to be a fairly heavy day for content on MayorsManor, so we’ll get right to it with minimal commentary. Four of the Kings next six games will be against the Golden Knights, beginning with two in LA this weekend.
Kings coach Todd McLellan has several options heading into tonight’s game, even after Michael Amadio was placed on waivers. Among the forwards, perhaps the only thing that should be written in pen at this point is a line of Grundstrom – Anderson-Dolan – Moore. Beyond that, much depends on if Dustin Brown is ready to slide back into the lineup. If he’s good to go, expect him to slot in alongside Anze Kopitar, per the norm.
Kings morning skate note…
All players are on the ice participating except Dustin Brown, Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty.
That trio is neither surprising or concerning.
However, Brown is at least curious given he's missed the past few games. We'll get an update from McLellan.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) March 19, 2021
Per McLellan – Good chance Brown is back in the lineup tonight.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) March 19, 2021
Just for fun, we’re offering up a few different looks, based upon Brown’s availability.
LA Kings projected lineup vs. the Vegas Golden Knights
Iafallo – Kopitar – Brown
Athanasiou – Vilardi – Kempe
Grundstrom – JAD – Moore
Carter – Lizotte – Luff / Wagner
Anderson – Doughty
Bjornfot – Roy
Maatta – Walker
Petersen (starter)
Quick (starter)
Other players available:
Kurtis MacDermid
Not available:
Martin Frk (IR)
The taxi squad is currently comprised of Lias Andersson, Daniel Brickley, Drake Rymsha, and Troy Grosenick
Option B, without Brown
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Athanasiou – Vilardi – Carter
Grundstrom – JAD – Moore
Andersson – Lizotte – Luff
There is at least a remote possibility that Carter could be scratched. Something discussed in detail here.
NOTE: This article will be updated with McLellan’s quotes following his morning media availability.
McLellan on Kempe’s ability to play all three forward positions
I think it’s very important. Players that have those tools in their toolkit, the ability to play in different positions at different times and still have success, they’re very valuable. Adrian has become that for us. He’s played on the right, left, played in the middle, he’s played with various linemates. I guess you could consider him on the back end on the power play, as well. The fact that he can take all of that on and have the type of year he’s having speaks about his maturity level right now and how far he’s come.
On playing a Vegas team that likes to use their four lines and how important is it for LA to play with discipline and be able to utilize all four of their lines to match up against them
Everybody we dress will be important to our chance at success. Our games in Vegas didn’t go our way, they handed it to us pretty good. Hopefully we’ve learned and can fix some of the areas that we broke down in. To have that happen, everybody has to contribute. That’s the one thing that I mentioned the other day, the game management part. Regardless of six minutes or 20 minutes a night, whoever you might be, you’ve got to manage those minutes properly to be the most effective player or unit you can possibly become. We’re still working on that with a lot of our players. To quickly answer your question, everybody’s going to be important tonight. We’re going to need an A-game from almost everybody.
On how the Kings have grown since those earlier games against Vegas
Well, the lineup will be a little bit different. Our backend will have a little more experience than it did at that point. Some of the areas that they tapped us — long, rush-type scenarios and some of them in the D-zone — hopefully, we’ve addressed and improved in those areas. They’re a helluva team. They’re going to give a lot of opponents headaches in a lot of different areas. If you come away with points from a match with Vegas, you’ve probably played a pretty darn good game.
On if he can compare and contrast the approach that Colorado and Vegas bring
There are similarities. They each have their own identity and they play strong. Their groups play towards that. Vegas is extremely talented, they have size. I think I said yesterday, they can play fast and slow, they can grind it out. Colorado is a lot about speed and pace, attack, volume shooting. Let’s face it, they’re two of the top teams out west and two of the top teams in the NHL. They’ve built those teams properly and they play towards their identity. They’re both well coached, so they have a lot of good things going for them.
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