With only six games remaining in the regular season, the LA Kings have reduced their margin for error to next to nothing. Currently sitting third in the Pacific Division, a record of 4-2 down the stretch still might not be enough to qualify them for postseason play — not with Vegas and Vancouver nipping at their heels.
LA goes 4-2 to close the season. https://t.co/D54QhmowUZ
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 14, 2022
With the Columbus Blue Jackets in town for a Saturday night tilt, Kings coach Todd McLellan is looking to mix things up in a fairly big way. For starters, he’s putting Andreas Athanasiou up on the top line. It will be his first game played since March 10.
* Petersen to backup 32, not scratched
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 16, 2022
Among the bevy of lineup changes, rookie forward Quinton Byfield will be sitting out tonight, along with Gabe Vilardi.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE
Athanasiou – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Lizotte – Brown
Lemieux – Kupari – Kaliyev
Other options: Andersson, Byfield, Grundstrom, Vilardi
Edler – Roy
Moverare – Durzi
Maatta – Spence
Other options: Bjornfot, Stecher, Strand
IR: Anderson, Doughty
Quick (starter)
Petersen
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
Today's #GoKingsGo question…
Who would you rather have on the top line with Kopitar and Kempe?
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 16, 2022
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
A Kings win will officially eliminate the Blue Jackets from postseason play.
Columbus projected lineup:
Nyquist – Roslovic – Laine
Voracek – Sillinger – Bemstrom
Johnson – Danforth – Bjorkstrand
Robinson – Kuraly – Meyer
Werenski – Peeke
Gavrikov – Boqvist
Bean – Blankenburg
Merzlikins (confirmed starter)
Berube
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Anze Kopitar — needs 8 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 7:30pm PST today and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Network.
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