There are a big two points on the line in Calgary tonight.
Sure, given where the Kings are at this point in the season — and combined with their injuries — they probably don’t have enough runway left to catch Calgary for the Division lead.
How many games are left?
Lucky 13Pacific Division standings
3.31.2022
(using points percentage) pic.twitter.com/nl0g2r6rkf— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 31, 2022
Even so, every point matters right now. Borrowing from the long list of old hockey clichés, these remaining regular season games for LA are pseduo playoff games. They need to approach the final 13 contests as do or die… and this baker’s dozen very well may be exactly that. Most likely, though, the next few weeks will simply determine if the Kings have home ice advantage in Round 1 vs. the Oilers or if Edmonton will get the fourth home game.
Getting there is challenge No. 1 and the Kings have their work cut out for them. Already without (insert long list of regular players here), they now appear to be another player short coming out of Wednesday’s shootout loss in Alberta.
The @LAKings have made a player transaction today:
Jaret Anderson-Dolan (F) has been recalled from the @ontarioreign (AHL) on an emergency basis.@Enterprise | #PlayersOnTheMove
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) March 31, 2022
Word is, Lias Andersson is healthy and available. So the JAD recall is due to a different Kings player being banged up last night.
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 31, 2022
So which forward is it? Nobody is talking just yet. Which means — to borrow a Darryl Sutter phrase — we’ll likely have to just wait for the song.
Thus, projecting the lineup tonight becomes almost pointless; yet we’ll do it anyway.
Kane cross-checking penalty against Arvidsson: https://t.co/WIOKG2UKHB#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/r4n16uB2Mn
— Eric (@kingsgifs2) March 31, 2022
Viktor Arvidsson could be the injured forward (coming off a cross check early in the third period). For what it’s worth, he did finish the game, playing in overtime and taking a turn during the shootout.
Meanwhile, Kings rookie Arthur Kaliyev only had two shifts in the third period, neither came after the four minute mark.
It could also be somebody else.
Below is just a guess. Nothing more.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. CALGARY FLAMES
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Kaliyev / Arvidsson
Kupari – Byfield – Vilardi
Andersson – JAD – Grundstrom
Other options: N/A
Injured: Lizotte
IR: Athanasiou, Brown, Lemieux
Bjornfot – Durzi
Maatta Spence
Edler – Stecher
Other options: Strand, Moverare
IR: Anderson, Doughty, Roy
Petersen (starter)
Quick
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
N/A
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Flames notes vs Kings tonight… https://t.co/HWiNnx5D41
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 31, 2022
And for some vintage Sutter:
The Final Interview: Darryl Sutter on the How and Why of Being Fired, plus What Lies Ahead
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Anze Kopitar — needs 13 points to pass Dave Taylor for third on the Kings all-time scoring list
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00pm PST today and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Network.
RELATED CONTENT:
NHL RADIO REPLAY: Mayor’s Minutes – Hoven on Kings Goaltending, Durzi’s Future, and LA Playoff Hopes
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