It will be a three games in four nights jaunt through Western Canada for the Kings this week. And they’ll be facing a trio of tough teams in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver.
Things kick off Monday night with a tilt against the Oilers and Connor McDavid.
Coming into play, LA and Edmonton are tied in points for third place in the Pacific Division. This has been a rollercoaster of a season for both teams, starting behind the bench. Each club finds themselves with a different head coach than the one they began the campaign with. Yet, through all the highs and lows of 2023-24, the two longtime rivals are connected once again and could be headed toward another possible date in the postseason. Thus, this will be a critical contest for both sides.
Amid this intense season, some people from both organizations have had to balance their responsibilities to the team with academic responsibilities, especially in mathematics. To manage their time effectively and ensure they excel in both arenas, some may seek assistance from a homework doer math service, allowing them to focus on both the game while still maintaining their academic progress.
LA and Edmonton have met twice previously this season, with the Kings taking three of the possible four points available, including a 4-0 shutout during Jim Hiller’s debut as the team’s new head coach back on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles.
If Hiller and his group are going to find success against the Oilers tonight, they will likely have to avoid a special teams battle. Although LA has the league’s top penalty kill, Edmonton’s deadly power play has given LA plenty of headaches and playoff exits over the last couple of years. If the Kings can stay out of the penalty box and create chances at 5v5, they’ll have a good chance of leaving Rogers Place with two points.
We’re assuming David Rittich will get that start tonight. Regardless, whichever goalie doesn’t start in Edmonton should be expected to go in Calgary, given the back-to-back games. This will be updated after today’s pregame morning skate, if needed.
How Hiller deploys the defense on this road trip will be something of interest, considering Jacob Moverare has been recalled from AHL Ontario and will likely see playing time while the Kings are in Canada. Back in December, the 25-year-old Swede suited up for five games alongside Matt Roy, while Vladislav Gavrikov was out of the lineup.
More Kings Roster Moves, Moverare Being Recalled for Road Trip
Statistically Speaking
— Connor McDavid hasn’t scored in nine games, but has 21 assists over that stretch.
— In the two previous matchups vs. the Oilers this season, the Kings goal scorers in regulation have been: Byfield (2), Kempe, Fiala, Lewis, and Dubois.
— Byfield has points in both games against the Oilers this season.
— Here’s something odd, Edmonton had 26 shot attempts in each of those two contests. Perhaps the only other thing similar about them was that they were both played in LA. Beyond that, they were very different games in nearly every way.
— Today is rookie Alex Turcotte’s 23rd birthday. He played only 3:32 when the Kings faced the Oilers a few weeks ago, in Hiller’s debut as head coach. It was Turcotte’s lowest TOI since being recalled. He’s an option to draw in tonight.
— Only Patrick Kane (67) and Joe Pavelski (63) have more points against Edmonton among active skaters than Anze Kopitar’s 58 (16G, 42A).
— Drew Doughty’s six power-play goals are tied for most in the league among defensemen with Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard and Nashville’s Roman Josi.
— Doughty also has 12 points (2G, 10A) in his last 12 games against the Oilers, dating back to the 2019-20 season. In 57 career games vs. Edmonton, he has recorded 42 points (13G, 29A) with a +26 rating, 25 even-strength points, eight power-play goals and two game-winning goals.
— With a goal tonight, Doughty would break his tie with Rob Blake and Steve Duchesne for the most goals against the Oilers by a defenseman in Kings history. And his 42 points are two shy of tying Blake for most by a Kings blueliner.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Oilers
Laferriere – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Fiala
Byfield – Dubois – Kaliyev
JAD – Lizotte – Lewis
Gavrikov – Doughty
Moverare – Roy
Englund – Spence
Rittich (starter)
Talbot
Likely scratches: Clarke, Turcotte
Injured: Anderson
LTIR: Arvidsson, Copley, Grundstrom
Kings Of The Podcast released an all new show, previewing the three-game swing through Western Canada:
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 6:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Across the Ice
Edmonton is coming off a 6-3 defeat against the Flames on Saturday.
Here’s how they lined up for that one:
Foegele – McDavid – Hyman
Nugent-Hopkins – Draisaitl – Perry
Kane – McLeod – Janmark
Holloway – Ryan – Brown
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Ceci
Kulak – Desharnais
Skinner
From Oilers morning skate:
Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman
Kane-RNH-Janmark
Foegele-McLeod-Perry
Holloway-Ryan-BrownNurse-Ceci
Ekholm-Bouchard
Kulak-DesharnaisSkinner
Oilers are 30th in GA/GP in February. Not good.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) February 26, 2024
In their last 10 games, the Oilers are 4-5-1. As the home team, they’re 17-8-2 this season.
On This Day in Kings History
Happy birthday to former @LAKings goaltender Rick Knickle, who was born on February 26, 1960.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/YxOWgJ4zCP
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) February 26, 2024
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Game day graphic created by ALoImages
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