Friday night in Arizona kicks off the Kings first back-to-back situation this season, when they take on the Coyotes for the second time this week. Following Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over Arizona, the couple day break provided time for coach Todd McLellan to put his squad through a few practices.
From here, LA’s schedule does start to pick up, as they will play tonight in Arizona, then come back home for a contest against the undefeated Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday. This all takes place before heading right back on the road for a three-game road trip beginning up in Toronto (technically, it’s scheduled as a four-game trip, but they will actually fly home for a few days before eventually heading out to Vegas).
Coming into the season, many thought the Kings offense was dangerous enough to win games while possibly only receiving only average goaltending. Overall, that has proven true thus far through through the first six games of the 2023-24 campaign. Both Cam Talbot and Pheonix Copley have given the team a chance to win when called upon, without either standing on their head most nights to make it happen. Teams don’t need stellar goaltending to win games when they have a top-nine as dangerous as LA does (could be top twelve considering the fourth line has contributed five goals in six games). No matter who’s on the ice, it seems LA is always a threat to put the puck in the net.
McLellan did hint that both goalies will play this week, meaning Cam Talbot should get a start sometime over the next 48 hours. For now, we’ll assume that is more likely to happen against Vegas – leaving Phoenix Copley in net for the rematch against Arizona. On the season, Talbot has posted a .900 save percentage and 3.03 goals against average through his first four starts.
In the Kings recent 6-3 victory over the Coyotes in LA, it was the top line of Byfield-Kopitar-Kempe leading the way. They had a combined five points, including goals from Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe.
Meanwhile, former Kings defenseman Sean Durzi was held pointless, while recording two shots on goal.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Arizona Coyotes
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Kaliyev
Fiala – Dubois – Laferriere
Grundstrom – Lizotte – Lewis
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Spence
Copley (starter)
Talbot
Likely scratches: Anderson-Dolan, Bjornfot
Injured: Arvidsson
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports West with Nick Nickson on play-by-play.
Across the Ice
Here’s how the Coyotes lined up in their previous contest vs. LA earlier this week:
Keller – Hayton – Schmaltz
Zucker – Cooley – Maccelli
Crouse – Bjugstad – Carcone
Kerfoot – McBain – O’Brien
Moser – Durzi
Dermott – Dumba
Valimaki- Stecher
Vejmelka
On This Day in Kings History
On October 27, 2011, Jonathan Quick established an @LAKings’ shutout record by not allowing a goal for 202 minutes and 11 seconds. Quick's shutout streak ended in a 5-3 win versus the Dallas Stars.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/IC6XklG7ch
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) October 27, 2023
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