Will the real LA Kings team please stand up?
This is no longer about injuries. Todd McLellan’s roster was much thinner not that long ago and they weathered the storm. Of late, a bevy of players have returned to action — including Matt Roy, Brendan Lemieux, Viktor Arvidsson, and Blake Lizotte. Still… the Kings have one regulation win in their last seven games. Need a bigger sample size? They have just five regulation wins over the 20 games played since March 1.
Sunday’s loss in Minnesota may have been the most concerning. The losses to Calgary and Edmonton at home last week were closely contested games; both resulting in 3-2 finals. By contrast, they came out firing on all cylinders vs. the Wild — opening up a three goal lead in the first period, only to give up six straight goals.
Time is running out.
Pacific Division standings
4.12.22Kings still control their own destiny. Only scoreboard LA needs to watch to make the playoffs is their own. pic.twitter.com/kwCtpMC09j
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 12, 2022
The good news is, the Kings still largely control their own destiny. Yes, if Vegas goes 9-0 and LA finishes 8-0, the Kings will be in a world of hurt. Assuming this week’s odds in the California Lottery provide better odds than that happening, a post-season berth is still within their grasp.
If things don’t change quickly, though, memories of 2006 will start to enter the chat. That season featured an epic collapse, with the team falling out of the playoff race after firing head coach Andy Murray. With John Torchetti behind the bench, they went on a 5-7 bender to close out their final 12 games of the season.
What’s most troubling about the roster right now?
John Hoven and Dennis Bernstein broke it all down on a recent Kings Of The Podcast edition (they also talked about some of the Kings top prospects looking to make pushes for NHL roster spots soon):
On the immediate roster front, the past 24 hours have brought a mix of news:
.@LAKings defenseman and alternate captain Drew Doughty underwent successful wrist surgery today and will not return this season.
Doughty will begin his rehabilitation process immediately and is expected to be fully recovered for next season.
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) April 11, 2022
LA Kings roster move….
Dustin Brown has been activated off of IR. Back sooner than expected.
Let's see that 19-55-23 line tonight.
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 12, 2022
For tonight vs. the Blackhawks, McLellan appears set to make a few lineup changes. Exactly how he’ll piece it all together remains a bit in flux. As such, below is a guestimate. Updated with additional intel…
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Kaliyev – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Vilardi – Byfield – Kupari
Iafallo – Lizotte – Brown
Other options: Andersson, Grundstrom, Lemieux
IR: Athanasiou
Roy – Durzi
Maatta – Spence
Edler – Stecher
Other options: Bjornfot, Moverare, Strand
IR: Anderson, Doughty
Quick (starter)
Petersen
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
N/A
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
Delia starting in net tonight. Regula is in. De Haan and Gustafsson will be scratched.
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) April 12, 2022
King on why Regula was recalled: "Well, he gets better, he gets better all the time. Even when he came up with us the one time and goes back down, he takes that game and what he’s learned here, the pace and he continues to build on that down there."
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) April 12, 2022
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Anze Kopitar — needs 9 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 5:30pm PST today and the game will be televised on KCOP-13.
RELATED CONTENT:
Lead Image created by ALo Images for MayorsManor
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
I’m a little puzzled by putting Vilardi on the 4th line and scratching Kupari. Gabe needs skilled players around him to succeed (not that the champagne line did much but they were jelling a bit). Rasmus is a physical presence and plays an up-tempo game that creates chances. Oh well, here’s hoping we go on a win streak!
I think if Dustin Brown scores 4 goals tonight to pass Bernie we should win!
Check what the Wild did to EOilers last night and we all get a better understanding of how good the Wild can really be SCup contenders.