It’s not quite the same thing as ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin returning to the ring tonight in Texas after 19 years, but the Kings prepping for a game will always stir up memories of February 1996 – the final time Wayne Gretzky ever wore No. 99 in a black and silver jersey.
With LA in Winnipeg tonight, might as well RT this oldie but goodie — includes photos from my personal archive of that road trip.
Wayne Gretzky in Winnipeg, His Final Game ever played with the Kingshttps://t.co/Zw3Kw9PBgL
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 2, 2022
As for the present, this Kings team is fighting for a playoff berth; something they haven’t done since 2018. Coming off a three-point trip through Alberta, via a shootout loss in Edmonton on Wednesday and a shootout victory in Calgary on Thursday, LA continues to show plenty of moxie despite missing more than a handful of regular players due to injury.
Pacific Division standings
4.2.2022For those who ask, why points % instead of points — because teams have different GP, so points % tells more accurate story. EDM slightly ahead; yet it's razor close.
What happens if the two teams finish tied? Oilers hold the RW tiebreaker. pic.twitter.com/8TOQNx4PS7
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 2, 2022
With another two points at stake in Winnipeg, we’re not really expecting any lineup changes tonight because… well, the Kings don’t have many healthy bodies at the moment. However, there is a little fly in the ointment. Jaret Anderson-Dolan was recalled on an emergency basis earlier this week (then sent back down, only to be recalled again). It was said to be a game-time decision on Thursday regarding the availability of the injured forward in question. Given that JAD still hasn’t been involved in a transaction as of 1pm PST today, something still may give way before puck drop.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. WINNIPEG JETS
Iafallo – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Vilardi – Byfield – Kupari
Grundstrom – Andersson – Kaliyev
Other options: JAD
Injured: Lizotte
IR: Athanasiou, Brown, Lemieux
Bjornfot – Durzi
Maatta – Spence
Edler – Stecher
Other options: Strand, Moverare
IR: Anderson, Doughty, Roy
Petersen (starter)
Quick
KINGS DAILY QUESTION
N/A
VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE
FYI — Jets are scheduled to wear their dark blue alternates tonight. https://t.co/6xuXKRvcXA pic.twitter.com/DvhpjGT69D
— The Mayor | John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 2, 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 4:00pm PST today and the game will be televised on Bally Sports Network.
RELATED CONTENT:
NHL RADIO REPLAY: Mayor’s Minutes – Hoven on Kings Goaltending, Durzi’s Future, and LA Playoff Hopes
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