With the Kings having just left Denver on Wednesday night, it seems only appropriate for the Reign to be in Colorado this weekend. That’s just the way the AHL and NHL schedules have aligned all season. And just in time for Friday night’s first matchup of a back-to-back weekend series with the Eagles, we have some Reign related roster news to review.
Goaltender Erik Portillo and defenseman Jacob Moverare have been recalled to the NHL. Conversely, Ontario coach Marco Sturm is getting one replacement player with Jacob Ingham recalled from ECHL Greenville. He’s expected to start Saturday’s backend of the two-game set.
Veteran netminder Pheonix Copley is penciled in for his sixth AHL game of the year. He’ll be looking to shore up his early season numbers; a solid performance could even up his current 2-3-0 mark and .860 save percentage.
Last time out, the Reign picked up a win on home ice earlier this week. One of the key storylines coming out of that contest was the AHL debut of Kings prospect Kaleb Lawrence. He’s expected to center the Reign fourth line again tonight. Lawrence appeared to have some chemistry in camp with fellow first-year pro Aatu Jamsen. They have yet to be reunited by Sturm just yet.
Without a skate in El Segundo on Thursday, it’s a bit tricky to project the defense for tonight. Moverare’s absence will ensure at least one of the two healthy scratches from last game will draw in, most likely Cole Krygier.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. EAGLES
Should Sturm opt to make any key changes during pregame warm-ups, this article will be updated.
Hudon – Gawdin – Malott
Chromiak – Studnicka – Fagemo
Jamsen – Pinelli – Madden
Element – Lawrence – Doty
Booth – Hicketts
Krygier – Rowe
Dvorak – Walsh
Copley (starter)
Ingham
Other roster options include: (F) N/A (D) Millar
Injured: (F) Ward (D) Parker-Jones
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on FloHockey. An audio only feed is also available on the ESPN LA app.
RELATED CONTENT:
Follow @mayorNHL
Continue reading...
