The Pacific Division is about to find out if Todd McLellan’s current version of the LA Kings are playoff ready.
We say the ‘current’ version because even casual onlookers are properly up to speed enough to know this LA roster is riddled with injuries. A few players have recently returned, yet they’re still without Drew Doughty, Matt Roy, Brendan Lemieux, and others.
Come game time on Wednesday, none of that matters. The Kings are about to face Edmonton and Calgary twice each, beginning with road games in Canada this week. The Oilers sit just two points back of the Kings for second place in the division, and they’re holding a game in-hand over LA. This is a big one, indeed.
Up front, the Kings will be rolling with the same 12 forwards from last game. The biggest question is, will they be re-arranged in a different combination — something MM Editor, John Hoven, discussed on Sirius XM NHL Radio earlier today:
(new post) NHL RADIO REPLAY: Mayor’s Minutes – Hoven on Kings Goaltending, Durzi’s Future, and LA Playoff Hopeshttps://t.co/hnzviZEKRT pic.twitter.com/pQV7CLLkee
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 30, 2022
Jonathan Quick is expected to return in net, while Alex Edler could draw back in after taking a pair of games off recently.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. EDMONTON OILERS
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Kupari – Byfield – Vilardi
Grundstrom – Andersson – Kaliyev
Other options: Lizotte
IR: Athanasiou, Brown, Lemieux
Moverare – Durzi
Bjornfot – Stecher
Edler / Maatta – Spence
Other options: Strand
IR: Anderson, Doughty, Roy
Quick (starter)
Petersen
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
Pardon the typo; clearly meant Craig MacTavish…
Today's #GoKingsGo question of the day…
Which former #LetsGoOilers player did you boo the most?
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 30, 2022
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Oilers have won seven in a row at home.
Woodcroft will stick with same lineup.
Kane-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Hyman-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Brassard-RNH-Archibald
Foegele-McLeod-RyanNurse-Ceci
Keith-Bouchard
Kulak-BarrieKoskinen
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) March 30, 2022
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 6:30pm PST today and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Network.
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