If Colorado serves as the buns in LA’s five-game season-ending sandwich, St. Louis would have to be the beef. And while the outcome of tonight’s game doesn’t really impact what the Blues or Kings will be doing next week, we’re expecting some In-N-Out quality sizzle tonight.
Get your bets in early…
Over / Under @13KCliffy drops the gloves with Lemieux tonight: 15 minute mark of the first period
Take the under. #BookIt
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) May 10, 2021
Coming down the stretch, there are also a few statistical things to keep an eye on. While nobody is catching Anze Kopitar for the team points lead — his 50 points are 16 ahead of second-place Drew Doughty — the battle below is somewhat interesting. Dustin Brown is third at 31 points, yet he’s shut down for the season. Next, would be Adrian Kempe and Alex Iafallo (tied at 29 points). Either of them could easily leapfrog into third place and with a hot streak could even pass Doughty to finish second.
Kempe’s 14 goals are also only three behind Brown for the team lead. Could he swoop in and claim that title this season?
Ballots for the Kings annual media awards had to be submitted earlier today. Look for the winners to be announced during tonight’s game.
One of my favorite days on the annual hockey calendar…@DennisTFP and I get to argue about the @LAKings team awards!
We're asked to cast votes for:
— Team MVP
— Best Newcomer
— Most Outstanding Defenseman
— Best Defensive Player (essentially any roster player, F/D/G) pic.twitter.com/bvVSjlxD1R
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) May 10, 2021
As for the lineup, there is little to suggest Kings coach Todd McLellan will opt for wholesale changes. Similar to Saturday, rookie Rasmus Kupari should slot in as the 3C.
Although Quinton Byfield officially remains on the taxi squad, look for him to be reassigned to AHL Ontario over the next 24 hours. He’ll be rejoining the Reign for their final two regular season games in Tucson later this week, before their postseason tournament begins next week. (note: we also had some related Tyler Madden news in yesterday’s Reign article).
LA Kings goalie Jonathan Quick is not on the ice for today's pregame skate.
He remains sidelined.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) May 10, 2021
LA Kings projected lineup vs. St. Louis Blues
Kempe – Kopitar – Athanasiou
Iafallo – Vilardi – Andersson
Wagner – Kupari – Moore
Lemieux – JAD – Grundstrom
Anderson- Doughty
Bjornfot – Roy
Maatta – Walker
Petersen (starter)
Grosenick
Other players available:
Kurtis MacDermid
Christian Wolanin
Matt Luff
Not available:
Blake Lizotte (injured, upper body)
Dustin Brown is out for the season (injured, upper body)
Jonathan Quick
Taxi Squad:
Jacob Ingham, Drake Rymsha, Cole Hults, Tyler Madden, and Quinton Byfield
Should McLellan provide any key updates during his media availability later this morning, this article will be updated.
If you missed his previous comments on Byfield and Brown, see the article linked below.
RELATED CONTENT:
Friday: LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Avalanche; Plus McLellan, Brown and Byfield Notes
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