For the first time since late last month in Florida — and the only time until the last weekend in March back home in LA — the Kings will play the second night of a back-to-back set on Friday. It will also mark the first time they’ve seen the New York Islanders this season, after winning both games against GM Lou Lamoriello’s squad last year.
Holding onto leads late in games has been an issue for the Kings of late, with their last three games all being decided by just one goal. If the defense isn’t going into lockdown mode anytime soon, perhaps the offense can put a few more on the board to create additional breathing room.
It was in the first game against the Islanders last season when Quinton Byfield scored his first NHL goal. He enters play tonight with two goals in 30 games played this season. It’s been a while, though, as he last found the back of the net on Jan. 21 in Nashville. He has picked up three assists over his past six games, and gone 13 straight games of being neutral or on the plus-side of the plus-minus rating.
Meanwhile, his linemate and captain, Anze Kopitar, has been heating up over the past few weeks and he’s currently riding a four-game goal scoring streak. In his career, Kopitar has 21 points (9G, 12A) in 23 games.
Defensively, there is a reasonable chance that Alex Edler draws back in. Given that he usually doesn’t play on consecutive nights, Edler sat last night in favor of Toby Bjornfot.
While Cal Petersen started both games against the Isles last season, he’s not an option this time around. Tonight, Jonathan Quick is expected to start for coach Todd McLellan. The veteran goalie last faced the Islanders on Feb. 6, 2020. Overall, he holds a record of 6-4-2 over 12 games against the Islanders in his career; along with a .915 save percentage and 2.26 goals-against average.
For those who love thinking about ‘What if…’ scenarios. If then GM Dean Lombardi hadn’t traded for Milan Lucic in June 2015, the Kings had their eyes set on Mathew Barzal at the Draft:
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. New York Islanders
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Danault – Arvidsson
Vilardi – Lizotte – Iafallo
JAD – Kupari – Kaliyev
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Walker
Quick
Copley
Scratches: Bjornfot, Lemieux, Moore (day-to-day)
Injured Reserve: Grundstrom (Jan. 19)
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 4:30 pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Durzi & Danault hit the NHL offices for a little fun in NYC. See more on #LAKingsLive at 4:00 PM 🏒 pic.twitter.com/3VH3rrZHVo
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) February 24, 2023
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Islanders get refs Eric Furlatt #27 and Garrett Rank #7 with James Tobias #61 and Brad Kovachik #71 on lines https://t.co/1D5OF4er9j
@LAKings @NYIslanders #GoKingsGo #Isles #LAKvsNYI pic.twitter.com/YLePzcapKH— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) February 24, 2023
Across the Ice
In their last game played, the Islanders downed the Jets 2-1 on Wednesday on home ice.
Here’s how they lined up earlier today:
#Isles lines at morning skate:
Lee-Horvat-Martin
Parise-Nelson-Palmieri
Durandeau-Cizikas-Fasching
Holmstrom-Koivula-JohnstonPelech-Mayfield
Romanov-Pulock
Aho-DobsonSorokin
Varlamov— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) February 24, 2023
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Lineup image created by ALo Images
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