Much like their matchup vs. Ottawa last weekend, the Kings will get a rare chance to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday evening.
On December 2, 2018, Jonathan Quick recorded his 50th career shutout in a 2-0 win against the Carolina Hurricanes. Quick made 34 saves, and Alec Martinez scored with 2:13 remaining in regulation to seal the win for the @LAKings.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/VHPIbOb6zk
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) December 2, 2022
It’s been almost four years to the day since the Kings last beat the Hurricanes — however, that stat is a little misleading. For starters, they only play each other twice per season, and didn’t see each other at all during the 2020-21 season due to the one-off reconfigured schedule adopted by the NHL that year. What is interesting, though, is the consistency Carolina has produced when playing LA of late. Last season, they scored five goals in each game and defeated the Kings on scores of 5-4 in Carolina and 5-1 in Los Angeles. They skipped the pandemic year, as noted, while the year before, they took both games vs. the Kings by scores of 2-0.
And just to further the point about how long ago that 2018 LA win was in hockey terms, Alec Martinez and Kyle Clifford were the goal scorers back then. It feels like a lifetime ago.
As for the present, coming off of a home victory just 48 hours ago, coach Todd McLellan is most likely looking to roll with the same lineup for this one. Youngsters Sammy Fagemo and Toby Bjornfot earned his praise following their performance against Arizona and are worthy of another start.
McLellan on Fagemo
Best I've seen Sammy play this year… We were really hoping he would be here full-time. He didn't have the camp we anticipated. So, that is the best game that I've seen Sammy play, exhibition or regular season this year. Hats off to him for having an impact.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 2, 2022
If he's just kind of standing around waiting for things to come to him, it doesn't go real well. Tonight, he used his legs really well.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 2, 2022
Kings prospect Aidan Dudas has been recalled as an extra forward.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Fiala – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Vilardi – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Grundstrom – JAD – Fagemo
Anderson – Doughty
Björnfot – Roy
Edler – Durzi
Quick
Copley
Scratches: Clarke, Dudas, Walker
Injured Reserve: Lemieux (targeting mid-December)
Long-term Injured Reserve: Iafallo (now practicing, targeted for mid-December return)
ICYMI — explanation of why Clarke is not playing
Additional Game Notes
Puck drop is set for 7:30pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports West.
Carolina is considered a Stanley Cup contender this season and they’re currently second in the Metro Division. Yet, one striking difference from a year ago is on the penalty kill. Last season, the Hurricanes lead the NHL with an 88% success rate. Currently, they rank 18th with a 78% PK. This will be an area LA assistant coach Jim Hiller will look to attack, as his Kings power play units are converting at nearly 25%, which is 10th best in the league.
Last time out, Carolina skated to a 6-4 victory in St. Louis on Thursday. Here’s how the Hurricanes lined up for that one:
Jarvis – Aho – Necas
Svechnikov – Kotkaniemi – Noesen
Martinook – Staal – Fast
Drury – Stastny – Stepan
Slavin – Burns
Skjei – Pesce
de Haan – Chatfield
Raanta
Kochetkov
Top line forward Teuvo Teravainen has been out with an upper-body injury. However, he was activated from IR on Friday and is on the brink of returning to the lineup. It could come as early as Saturday vs the Kings.
"He's been skating really well, so that's a positive sign. Whenever he gives us the green light that he feels 100%, he'll be in. Hopefully real soon."
Rod Brind'Amour with an update on Teuvo Teravainen, pre-game, via @CanesOnBally.
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) December 2, 2022
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Lineup image created by ALo Images
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