No rest for the weary.
Coming out of the holiday break, coach Todd McLellan has likely been working overtime trying to piece his lineup together for a big Pacific Division matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights. Prior to Tuesday morning’s pre-game skate, forward Arthur Kaliyev was placed on Injured Reserve (retroactive to Dec. 20).
That move also allowed the Kings to recall Quinton Byfield from AHL Ontario:
Update: Look for Quinton Byfield to join the Kings for morning practice.
With the injuries to others, he's eligible to play tonight… https://t.co/v2VxD0Lacl
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 27, 2022
QB @ morning skate #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/3KjOII1UQ5
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 27, 2022
Additionally, it appears like Trevor Moore is likely out for tonight’s game.
Trevor Moore absent from Kings morning skate. Will have to wait for an update for McLellan, yet that's not encouraging regarding his availability for tonight.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 27, 2022
UPDATE:
On LAK Trevor Moore, out for tonight v VGK and may not travel to Colorado for Thursday v Avs.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) December 27, 2022
Although Rasmus Kupari and Jordan Spence were also recalled from Ontario — coming off of being sent down a few days ago for cap savings reasons — their slotting into McLellan’s plans are a little less clear. From morning skate, it appeared Spence will probably be the odd man out among the defensemen.
Pheonix Copley back at it tonight for LAK. Leaves ice first this AM in El Seg.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) December 27, 2022
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Vegas Golden Knights
NOTE: Two options are presented here, as Byfield was observed spending time with 19-13 and 48-19 this morning…
Fiala – Kopitar – Kempe
JAD – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Byfield – Vilardi
Lemieux – Lizotte – Kupari
Option B:
Fiala – Kopitar – Kempe
Iafallo – Danault – Arvidsson
JAD – Lizotte – Vilardi
Lemieux – Byfield – Kupari
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Walker
Copley
Quick
Scratches: Grundstrom, Moore, Spence
Injured Reserve: Kaliyev
Additional Game Notes
Puck drop is set for 7:30pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports West.
In VGK’s last game played, they took out the St. Louis Blues 5-4 in a shootout on Friday.
Here’s how the Golden Knights lined up for that one:
https://twitter.com/GoldenKnights/status/1606486654143074304
Translated that means…
With Marchessault out here's the new forward line groups
Amadio-Stephenson-Stone⁰Kessel-Karlsson-Smith⁰Rondbjerg-Leschyshyn-Dorofeyev⁰Carrier-Roy-Kolesar
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 23, 2022
Bench reaction to the game-winner in shootout.
Alec Martinez is a gem. pic.twitter.com/Q2DoyTYlEu
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) December 24, 2022
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Lineup image created by ALo Images
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