While the NHL Trade Deadline is still about three weeks away, what happens over the next four games will largely help shape what LA GM Rob Blake opts to do with this roster before March 21.
Pacific Division standings
3.2.2022(Next four games likely weigh heavily on what lLA does / does not do at the Trade Deadline) pic.twitter.com/yItzXFWGkE
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 2, 2022
Monday’s loss is already in the rearview mirror. The Kings have been on a tear the past few months and a stinker was bound to happen at some point. The key is to turn the page and rebound quickly.
Kings assistant coach Trent Yawney will again serve as acting head coach for the team’s contest in Dallas, as Todd McLellan remains in protocol. From our understanding, McLellan is eligible to return as early as Thursday, there is no guarantee on his timeline. Each individual returns at their own pace. For example, when Yawney and fellow assistant Marco Sturm were out, each returned after a different number of days. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation.
There have been a series of roster moves over the past 24 hours; although nothing that is expected to have immediate consequences for the Kings tonight.
LA prospect Jaret Anderson-Dolan was recalled for the trip. He’ll start out as an extra forward and we’ll have to see if he finds a way to sneak into the lineup during one of the upcoming games.
Reign won 5-1 in Tucson today.
JAD added another goal (after the one below). He now has 10 goals in his last 11 games. https://t.co/PWVeAcylLy pic.twitter.com/sgtfC9aD5K
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) February 28, 2022
LA Kings roster move…
Lias Andersson has been assigned to AHL Ontario on a conditioning assignment.
He hasn't played an NHL game since Jan. 8 in Detroit. Recently returned to full contact at practice.
Beginning tonight, the Reign will play 9 of 12 March games at home.
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 2, 2022
Ontario Reign roster move…
LA Kings prospect Johan Sodergran has been re-routed from AHL Ontario to Eisbären Berlin (DEL).
After playing 48 games with the Reign last year, Sodergran has been limited to 7 AHL games this season. Will give him a chance to play, ONT roster full.
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 2, 2022
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. DALLAS STARS
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Grundstrom – Byfield – Brown
Lemieux – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Other options: Anderson-Dolan, Athanasiou
Anderson – Doughty
Maatta – Roy
Björnfot – Durzi
Other options: Moverare
Petersen (starter)
Quick
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
Your #GoKingsGo Question of the Day…
On Monday, LA outshot their opponent for the 21st straight game. The NHL record is 22 games, set by the 1971-72 NY Rangers.
By how wide of a margin will the Kings outshoot the Stars tonight?
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 2, 2022
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
One player to focus on tonight is Joe Pavelski. Should he become available at the Trade Deadline, he could be a player LA would show interest in – not only does he have familiarity with McLellan, he’s also a power play specialist.
Stars projected lineup:
Robertson — Hintz — Pavelski
Benn — Seguin — Gurianov
Raffl — Faksa — Glendening
Kiviranta — Peterson — Radulov
Suter — Heiskanen
Lindell — Klingberg
Harley — Hakanpää
Oettinger
Stars pre-game notebook: Jake Oettinger to make 11th start in 12 games vs. Kings; Joel Kiviranta returns@MDeFranks | #GoStars https://t.co/ZiSBOpVaNH
— SportsDay Stars (@dmn_stars) March 2, 2022
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Anze Kopitar — needs 20 points to pass Dave Taylor for third on the Kings all-time scoring list
Dustin Brown — 6 goals away from passing Bernie Nicholls for fifth place in Kings franchise history
Puck drop is scheduled for 5:30pm PST tonight and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Network.
RELATED CONTENT:
LA Kings Salary Cap Crunch: What Trades Can They Afford to Make?
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