Heading into the final stop of their four-game road trip, the Kings have more in play than simply two points.
Pacific Division standings
3.7.2022 pic.twitter.com/jlCPNxWA20— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 7, 2022
Yes, head coach Todd McLellan has made the cross-country flight to rejoin his club and once again claim his place behind the bench tonight — perhaps with a little revenge on his mind, after the 7-0 drubbing the Bruins put on his team last week in Los Angeles.
However, two key injuries are on the minds of many.
Per MayorsManor editor, John Hoven, forwards Brendan Lemieux and Viktor Arvidsson are ‘doubtful’ for the next week. According to his sources, both players are expected to get further imaging on their respective injuries upon returning to SoCal tomorrow. This would leave the Kings with only 12 healthy forwards. Lias Andersson will be rejoining the group in time for Thursday’s home game vs. the Sharks. In fact, four of the Kings next five games will be played at Crypto.com Arena, along with a quick trip to San Jose sandwiched in there, as well.
Andersson will play one more game with the Reign on Monday night (lineup article coming soon), then look for him to be recalled — technically, his conditioning assignment will end. He has scored in each of the games played with Ontario over the past week, putting up an impressive total of five goals in three games.
As for the Kings lineup tonight, nothing is confirmed… logic says Andreas Athanasiou will slide in for Arvidsson, with Carl Grundstrom talking the LW4 spot. Considering the Kings have won two straight, it seems doubtful McLellan would look for wholesale changes despite being down two of his regular forwards.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. BOSTON BRUINS
JAD – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Athanasiou
Iafallo – Byfield – Brown
Grundstrom – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Not healthy: Arvidsson, Lemieux
Anderson – Doughty
Maatta – Roy
Björnfot – Durzi
Other options: Moverare
Petersen (starter)
Quick
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
N/A
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
AM lines:
Marchand-Bergeron-DeBrusk
Hall-Haula-Pastrnak
Frederic-Coyle-Smith
Foligno-Nosek-LazarReilly-McAvoy
Grzelcyk-Carlo
Forbort-Clifton— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) March 7, 2022
Linus Ullmark starts tonight.
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) March 7, 2022
Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) is a game-time decision. Left the morning skate earlier than usual.
— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) March 7, 2022
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Anze Kopitar — needs 19 points to pass Dave Taylor for third on the Kings all-time scoring list
Dustin Brown — 4 goals away from passing Bernie Nicholls for fifth place in Kings franchise history
Puck drop is scheduled for 4:00pm PST today and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Network.
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