With the Dallas Stars in town on Thursday night, Kings coach Todd McLellan will once again turn to Pheonix Copley in net. The defense will likely look the same as it has for much of the last month.
Beyond that, change is in the air.
Tonight will mark the final game of LA’s current homestand. Following a game with the visiting Dallas Stars, McLellan and the Kings are heading out on a six-gane road trip leading into the All Star Game at the end of this month.
Getting there may be a chore, though.
Not only do they first have to face the Central Division leader, LA will also be without a few key pieces as they make their return to action for the first time since a loss last Saturday. Forward Carl Grundstrom is expected to be sidelined for the next few weeks, while Gabe Vilardi is said to be banged up and out day-to-day.
In return, several players were recalled earlier this morning:
In addition to Fagemo, LA Kings are recalling Alex Turcotte and Toby Björnfot.
That's the road trip crew. https://t.co/CwgqeDZQR5
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 19, 2023
Most of the season, the Kings have taken a full compliment of 23 players on extended road trips. With Grundstrom moving to IR, this loads them back up for the long haul out east.
NOTE: The projection below is an early look in advance of what we’re expecting to be an optional morning skate, coming off of two days of heavy practice. Should anything change, this article will be updated.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Dallas Stars
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Iafallo – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Lizotte – Fagemo
Lemieux – Kupari – JAD
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Walker
Copley
Quick
Scratches: Björnfot, Turcotte, Vilardi
Injured Reserve: Grundstrom (Jan. 19), Moore (Jan. 6), Kaliyev (retro to Dec. 20, expected out several weeks)
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports.
For those live in attendance, the LA Kings Booster Club will offer their popular ‘Puck for a Buck’ contest — featuring Phil Danault for this game. Just $1 could win you an autographed puck from an NHL star. Visit their table near aisle M8 on the main concourse for more information.
Across the Ice
In the Stars last game played, they were defeated by the Sharks 5-3 on Wednesday night. They were actually up 3-0 before San Jose came back to score five unanswered goals.
Here’s how Dallas lined up for that one:
Robertson – Seguin – Pavelski
Benn – Johnston – Ty Dellandrea
Marchment – Glendening – Gurianov
Olofsson – Faksa – Kiviranta
Heiskanen – Miller
Lindell – Hakanpää
Suter – Lundkvist
Jake Oettinger
Scott Wedgewood
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NHL RADIO REPLAY: Mayor’s Minutes – Hoven on Byfield, Fiala, and Kings Goaltending Plan
Lineup image created by ALo Images
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