There’s no need to panic just yet, the Kings have only played 3 of 82 regular season games scheduled this season. However, there’s also no better time than this weekend to start winning some games.
It’s an old saying — yet a true one — the games in October and November count the same in the standings as the ones played in March and April. Even in a weak Pacific Division, coach Todd McLellan and group need to bank some points early if they plan on playing meaningful games over the final six weeks of the regular season.
Tonight begins a stretch where the Kings will play three games in four nights. Following the game vs. Dallas they’ll immediately fly to St. Louis, where they’ll face the Blues on Saturday and Monday (more on that series tomorrow).
Kings don't plan on calling anybody up at the moment. They're only carrying one extra forward (with Lemieux still in protocol + AA/Lias on IR, with neither expected back this weekend). Plan is to to make it through the roadie and then reassess where things stand. https://t.co/zoHYthqV3h
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) October 22, 2021
In advance of Game 4 vs. the Stars, we anticipate McLellan making a few lineup adjustments, as he’s looking for some production out of the bottom-6 forwards.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. DALLAS ON 10/22
Arvidsson – Kopitar – Brown
Kempe – Danault – Iafallo
Moore – Vilardi – Kaliyev
Grundstrom – Lizotte – Kupari
Other options: Tkachev
Anderson – Doughty
Bjornfot – Roy
Edler – Walker
Other options: Maatta
Quick (starter)
Petersen
Injured Reserve: Andersson and Athanasiou
Non-Roster / Not Available: Lemieux
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Alex Edler – one goal away from career number 100
Phil Danault – needs 5 games to reach 400 NHL games played
Anze Kopitar – needs 62 points to pass Dave Taylor for third on the Kings all-time scoring list
Drew Doughty – 22 games from 1,000 GP; he’d be the first player from his draft class (2008) to reach the milestone and fourth player in team history to do so while playing their entire career with the Kings
On the Dallas Stars side of things…
Holtby in goal for Stars vs. Kings.
Klingberg, Robertson and Comeau are out. Rick Bowness said he is hopeful for Monday for all three.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) October 22, 2021
Puck drop is scheduled for 5:30 pm PST tonight and the game will be televised on ESPN+.
REMINDER — huge sale ends today at NHL store, can save up to 60% on select jerseys, sweatshirts, hats, and other items + get FREE shipping
(hint: code LEAF also appears to work in Dodgers and NFL stores too)
see here for all LA Kings products https://t.co/1PRvmzu0QI pic.twitter.com/F76Zvb2KlO
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) October 22, 2021
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