Much like the Kings faced the Blackhawks for the first of three upcoming games on Thursday night, they’ll see the Seattle Kraken for the first of three games on Saturday. There is one slight difference, though. LA has already faced the NHL’s latest expansion team once previously this season. Back in January, Phil Danault scored a pair of goals en route to a 3-1 Kings victory.
Danault also scored in Thursday’s shootout loss to Chicago. Although the point earned still helped with LA’s playoff hopes.
Pacific Division standings
3.26.2022 pic.twitter.com/3izM2qBaTt— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 26, 2022
LAK lineup changes:
Bjornfot for Edler (needs rest after long layoff)
Brendan Lemieux had a setback, wasn't on ice, not available at present.— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) March 26, 2022
As expected, defenseman Toby Bjornfot is expected to return to the blueline tonight. He had been targeted as the first d-man set to return, with Matt Roy likely next.
After tonight, the Kings and Kraken will faceoff again Monday in LA; then conclude their inaugural series on April 27 in Seattle. That will also serve as the penultimate game in LA’s 2021-22 regular season.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. SEATTLE KRAKEN
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Kupari – Byfield – Vilardi
Grundstrom – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Other options: Andersson
IR: Athanasiou, Brown, Lemieux
Moverare – Durzi
Bjornfot – Stecher
Maatta – Spence
Other options: Edler, Strand
IR: Anderson, Doughty, Roy
Petersen (starter)
Quick
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
Today's #GoKingsGo question…
If you had to become a fan of one of the NHL's four most recent expansion teams, which would you pick?
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) March 26, 2022
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Seattle arrives in town with a modest two-game winning streaking, having defeated Detroit and Arizona.
Was going through some video and on Feb. 24, this was the Kraken’s starting lineup.
A month later, half of that starting lineup – Mark Giordano, Calle Jarnkrok and Marcus Johansson – does not play for the Kraken anymore. #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/En2QHleMbO
— Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark) March 25, 2022
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Anze Kopitar — needs 16 points to pass Dave Taylor for third on the Kings all-time scoring list
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30pm PST today and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Network.
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