Holding a 7-2-1 record over their past 10 games played, the LA Kings enter action on Monday as the hottest team in the Western Conference. However, as they have shown a few times this season, consistency has been their Achilles heel.
Arriving in town on Monday for their latest challenge will be the Edmonton Oilers. A game 7 loss to Connor McDavid and his Alberta brethren last post season still stings sharply for several LA players.
The two teams are currently separated by 7 points in the Pacific Division standings, partly aided by the Kings 3-1 victory over the Oilers in November. With Edmonton holding two games in hand, this lines up as another critical mid-season tilt for coach Todd McLellan’s group.
Goaltender Pheonix Copley is expected to man the crease once again — and this will serve as his third career start vs. Edmonton, albeit his first while wearing an LA sweater.
Defenseman Jordan Spence was recalled earlier today, probably just as an extra body.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Edmonton Oilers
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Iafallo – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Lizotte – Vilardi
Lemieux – Kupari – JAD
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Walker
Copley
Quick
Scratches: Grundstrom, Spence
Injured Reserve: Moore, Kaliyev (retro to Dec. 20, expected out several weeks)
Additional Game Notes
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports.
In their last game played, Edmonton lost 3-2 in overtime to Colorado on Thursday.
Here’s what the Oilers were showing at morning skate:
Oiler lines, morning skate:
Kostin-McDavid-Yamamoto
McLeod-Draisaitl-Hyman
Foegele-RNH-Janmark
Holloway-Ryan-Puljujarvi pic.twitter.com/rBsPmRF1N0— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) January 9, 2023
Evander Kane is believed to be a few weeks away from returning. Yet, Edmonton is expecting Warren Foegele back tonight.
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Lineup image created by ALo Images
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