Alex Iafallo recently returned to the Kings lineup, and it probably couldn’t have come at a better time. Sure, coach Todd Mclellan welcomed him back with open arms. On a more personal level, the 28-year-forward is set to play in front of friends and family on Tuesday, as he’s from Eden, a suburb of Buffalo. Given that the Kings only visit the Sabres arena once per year, the timing lined up just perfectly.
After producing five points in his four games prior to the injury, Iafallo has been a little bit slow to ramp back up of late. He’s played four games since coming off injured reserve, recording just two assists. Although McLellan likely isn’t too alarmed just yet, it is something to keep an eye on as the Kings try to find more consistency in their overall game.
Over on the other side of the ice, Buffalo has an assistant coach who is very familiar to those who follow the Kings organization closely. Jason Christie served as head coach and Director of Hockey Operations of the ECHL Ontario Reign from 2011-15. After a 10-year playing career for a myriad of minor league teams — including the famed Columbus Chill — Christie turned his attention to coaching in 2000. Affectionately known as ‘Smurf’ by those closest to him, Christie went on to become the all-time winningest coach in ECHL history. Two years ago, one of Don Granato’s first moves after being named head coach in Buffalo was to tab Smurf as his assistant.
Former LA prospect Kale Clague is expected to suit up for the Sabres (more on him below).
As for the Kings, they made a series of roster moves on Monday:
Kings Roster Activity: Monday Moves and Answers to a Pair of Questions
It will be interesting to see how Tuesday’s game plays out, as it features two high-powered offenses. LA is tied for second in team goals this season (105 GF), trailing only Buffalo (108 GF).
Per McLellan, Doughty should be good to go and Jaret Anderson-Dolan will replace Arvidsson on the second line tonight.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Buffalo Sabres
Fiala – Kopitar – Kaliyev
Moore – Danault – JAD
Iafallo – Kempe – Vilardi
Grundstrom – Lizotte – Fagemo
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Bjornfot / Edler – Walker
Copley
Quick
Scratches: Kupari, Spence
ICYMI: Brandt Clarke is at the World Juniors with Team Canada
Injured Reserve: Lemieux (targeting mid-late December)
Additional Game Notes
Puck drop is set for 4:00pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports West.
Last time out, Buffalo fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 on Saturday.
Here’s how the Sabres are expected to lineup vs. the Kings:
Sabres’ lines/pairs at practice with Skinner suspended 2 more games:
Mittelstadt-Thompson-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Asplund-Jost-Olofsson
Girgensons-Krebs-OkposoSamuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Bryson
Clague-Fitzgerald
Extras: Skinner, Hinostroza, Pilut.— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) December 12, 2022
Jeff Skinner won’t play, as he’s serving a three-game suspension following this play vs. the Penguins:
Official word from @NHLPlayerSafety: Jeff Skinner will have a hearing Saturday for the cross-check on Jake Guentzel.
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) December 10, 2022
Jeff Skinner said it was a "tough feeling" taking that match penalty late in regulation Friday. Acknowledged it cost the Sabres a point.
"Obviously, I wasn't meaning to catch him as high as I did. Stuff happens in games, and you try and protect yourself as well as you can …"
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) December 12, 2022
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