After going 65 games without seeing the Chicago Blackhawks yet this season, the Kings are set to face them three times in four weeks to close things out. Game 1 in the series comes Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena.
From all indications at this morning’s pre-game skate, several players continue to draw closer to returning.
LA Kings morning skate update:
No changes from yesterday…
– Lemieux still in a red jersey
– Arvidsson and Björnfot went on the ice early, full participants
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 24, 2022
Although Toby Bjornfot was a full participant, he skated on a pairing with Austin Strand during drills — suggesting he won’t be on the blueline in Downtown LA just quite yet.
Coming off a strong game on Tuesday, it appears coach Todd McLellan will once again turn to Jonathan Quick in goal.
On LAK current goalie rotation that sees Quick/Petersen starting pairs of games over past 6, Toddfather says no method to this stretch, decision on starter is still game-to-game.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) March 24, 2022
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Kupari – Byfield – Vilardi
Grundstrom – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Other options: Andersson
IR: Athanasiou, Brown, Lemieux
Moverare – Durzi
Edler – Stecher
Maatta – Spence
Other options: Strand
Injured: Bjornfot
IR: Anderson, Doughty, Roy
Quick (starter)
Petersen
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
N/A
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Chicago arrives fresh off a win on Wednesday over the Ducks.
In Anaheim, they used the following lineup:
Blackhawks lineup in warmups
DeBrincat-Strome-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Raddysh
Kurashev-Dach-Lafferty
Katchouk-R. Johnson-EntwistleMcCabe-C. Jones
de Haan-S. Jones
Stillman-GustafssonLankinen
Delia— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) March 24, 2022
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Anze Kopitar — needs 17 points to pass Dave Taylor for third on the Kings all-time scoring list
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pm PST today and the game will be televised on ESPN+ (not Bally Sports Network).
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When Brown returns he only needs 5 games to have the most games played of all players in the 2003 draft (Eric Stall). Big deal with all the great players in which is probably the strongest draft class ever.
I hate to think this, but has Brown played his last game for the Kings? I can only assume from the large bandage on his right pinkie finger at Quick’s 700 game celebration that he needed stitches… Compound fracture??? If that’s the case, then he could be out a while. I would love to see him back for a deep playoff run, but….
All explained right here: https://mayorsmanor.com/2022/03/kings-of-the-podcast-ep-123-trades-injuries-and-playoffs-oh-my/