For the final time before they open up postseason play, the Kings will host a regular season game in Downtown LA on Monday night against the visiting Vancouver Canucks. This will also be the last time the Kings are set to wear their popular white alternate jerseys and chrome helmets; a uniform kit that has brought some success thus far this season, with the team holding a 4-3-0 record when sporting this look.
On a more serious note, the Kings focus has drastically shifted over the past 10 days, largely due to the team’s recent struggles. They have lost three straight in regulation, now sitting just two points ahead of Seattle for the third seed in the Pacific Division. While they had far greater aspirations just two weeks ago, now the Kings are fighting to stay out of the wild-card seeds in the Western Conference. And with only two games remaining in the regular season, the main focus is now to stay healthy and get back some key players for game 83.
Some positive #GoKingsGo news to pass along…
Sounds like defenseman Mikey Anderson will be back soon. May not play tomorrow night, yet should return in one of the final three regular season games.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) April 7, 2023
Following up on John Hoven’s recent report that Mikey Anderson was scheduled to return soon, it appears that day has arrived. He’s slotted to play alongside Drew Doughty vs. the Canucks. That should also reshuffle the defensive pairs back to the way they were, with Vladislav Gavrikov returning to the second pair, while Sean Durzi and Sean Walker will likely anchor the third pair.
Both Alex Edler and Gabe Vilardi were out skating in red no-contact jerseys earlier today, more positive signs for both individuals, especially Vilardi who could add some offense when he’s finally ready to go. Kevin Fiala also remains sidelined with a lower body injury and his return date is still TBD.
Coach Todd McLellan will most likely begin tonight’s game with the same forward lines used last game. However, Arthur Kaliyev and Carl Grundstrom remain options to move up, should McLellan want to shake things up a bit. He’s used both players alongside Anze Kopitar for limited amounts of time in the past few games.
Joonas Korpisalo will be the starter in net tonight. He’ll be looking to bounce back from being pulled in Vegas after giving up five goals to the Golden Knights.
As noted previously, prospect Alex Laferriere has signed his Entry level Contract and joined the Kings for the balance of the season. He isn’t expected to play, though, as explained in greater detail here.
Quinton Byfield joined the guys for an all-new Kings Of The Podcast that was just released this morning. The episode also features debates about which players should be nominated and win several of the Kings 2022-23 team awards. Be sure to give it a listen before tonight’s puck drop:
Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 153 with Quinton Byfield, Plus Team Awards
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Vancouver Canucks
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Lizotte – Kaliyev
JAD – Kupari – Grundstrom
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Durzi – Walker
Korpisalo
Copley
Likely scratches: Bjornfot, Edler (upper body), Fiala (lower body), Laferriere, MacEwen, Vilardi
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 Carl Grundstrom 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 their last contest, the Canucks defeated the Flames by a score of 3-2 on Saturday night.
Here’s how Vancouver lined up today at morning skate:
Kuz-EP40-Kravtsov
PDG-miller-Boeser
Beau-Dries-Garland
Joshua-Aman-StudHughes-Burroughs
Hirose-Myers
Bear-McWardDelia#canucks
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) April 10, 2023
On This Day in Kings History
On April 10, 2017, Rob Blake was named V.P. and General Manager of the @LAKings. In six seasons, Blake has drafted Gabe Vilardi, Mikey Anderson, Arthur Kaliyev, and Quinton Byfield, and has acquired Sean Durzi, Trevor Moore, Viktor Arvidsson, and Kevin Fiala.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/JgJV4RkhXf
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) April 10, 2023
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