Do the Kings really want to see the Sharks again? Their most recent four games against San Jose didn’t exactly go as planned. Coming off a win over Arizona on Wednesday and clinging to their playoff hopes, LA will need to show up with a renewed sense of desperation to find any sort of success in San Jose this weekend.
For Friday’s opener of the two-game set, coach Todd McLellan went with an optional morning skate. Thus, the below projection comes largely from how the team was assembled at Thursday’s practice. Should any additional information become available, this article will be updated.
For what we believe is only the second time this season, the Kings have a full compliment of six players on the taxi squad, giving McLellan many different options if needed.
Currently, the biggest question surrounds if No. 13 will be playing or sitting again.
Secondarily, LA has a newly acquired defenseman traveling with the team in Christian Wolanin. He played well in two games with AHL Ontario and there is a good chance he could draw in this weekend over Kurtis MacDermid. However, much of that decision may rest with the status of Olli Maatta, who is believed to be very close to returning. Matt Roy and Toby Bjornfot are not expected to be available on this trip.
Kings have bumped dman Christian Wolanin up to the taxi squad for today's practice (which also means he'll travel with the team to SJ). Wrobo was been very impressed with him in his back-to-back games with AHL Ontario this week — not only the 3 assists, but defensively, as well.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) April 8, 2021
LA Kings projected lineup vs. San Jose Sharks
Iafallo – Kopitar – Brown
Athanasiou – Lizotte – Carter
Grundstrom – JAD – Moore
Lemieux – Kempe – Wagner
Anderson – Doughty
MacDermid – Walker
Clague – Strand
Petersen (starter)
Quick
Other players available:
Gabe Vilardi
Toby Bjornfot (won’t play in San Jose)
Not available:
Matt Roy (protocol)
Olli Maatta (IR, out week-to-week)
The taxi squad is currently comprised of Lias Andersson, Matt Luff, Christian Wolanin, Austin Strand, Drake Rymsha, and Troy Grosenick
Which decisions are the Kings facing heading into Monday’s Trade Deadline — and what’s likely to happen with Iafallo? See below for a link to our preview, where we discuss the status of every LA roster player and a handful of the team’s top prospects.
RELATED CONTENT:
Kings Of The Podcast: S2, E28 – Trade Deadline Preview, plus guest Mark Seidel
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