Nine games remain on the Kings regular season schedule, and with each passing day, the race for home ice advantage seems to get more and more intense. Tonight, Los Angeles will look to expand their two-point lead over Edmonton in the Pacific Division when the Winnipeg Jets arrive in town for a matchup at Crypto.com Arena.
After another offensive explosion against an undermanned Sharks team on Sunday, coach Jim Hiller will need to refocus his club for what should be an intense battle with one of the league’s best teams just 48 hours later. With two victories over the Jets already this season, can the Kings once again raise their level of play against an elite opponent — something they’ve consistently done all season?
LA is 13-5-4 all-time at home against this incarnation of the Jets — a reboot of the original franchise that was eventually relocated to Phoenix (and later Utah). These Jets were the former Atlanta Thrashers, a team that could be getting a reboot of its own in the not-too-distant future. Confused yet?
Jets forward Gabe Vilardi will not skate in tonight’s game. He’s out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Another former Kings forward, Alex Iafallo, has been holding down his spot on their top line.
While much of the focus will be on game action once the puck drops, tonight will also spotlight the career of longtime broadcaster Nick Nickson. There will be a pre-game ceremony to honor and celebrate the 44-year career of Nickson, as he is nearing the end of his final season behind the microphone.
For decades, Kings fans have had the privilege to hear a pair of Hall of Fame voices in Nickson and Bob Miller. The impact these special men have had on the organization and fans around the world cannot be measured. Over a 44-year career, Nickson has called more than 3,800 games with the Kings and close to 500 more in the AHL. Tonight is an opportunity for everybody to return the favor and show their appreciation for Nickson. Fans are encouraged to be in their seat by 7pm for the on-ice ceremony.
Statistically Speaking
— Today is Warren Foegele’s 29th birthday. He registered a pair of goals on Sunday night, setting new career-highs in goals (22) and points (42) in a season. His plus-30 rating also leads all Kings skaters and places fifth among all League forwards.
— Joel Edmundson will be playing in his 600th career NHL game on Tuesday night. Only seven defensemen from the 2011 NHL Draft have accomplished such feat thus far.
— Anze Kopitar enters Tuesday’s contest with seven goals and 11 points in his last seven games vs. Winnipeg, while Adrian Kempe has five points (2G, 3A) in his last three matchups against the Jets.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Jets
Below is a guestimate only. If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
Foegele – Danault – Moore
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Malott – Helenius – Lewis
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Spence
Edmundson – Clarke
Kuemper (starter)
Rittich
Likely scratches: (F) Thomas and (D) Burroughs, Moverare
Injured: Turcotte (day-to-day, upper body), Jeannot (out for extended time period)
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by ESPN. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app (which is the new home for Kings radio this season, they’ve moved off of the iHeart platform).
More on the ongoing TV situation here.
For those live in attendance, the LA Kings Booster Club will offer their popular ‘Puck for a Buck’ contest — featuring Nick Nickson for this game. Just $1 could win you an autographed puck from an NHL star. Visit their table outside sections 317-318 on the upper concourse for more information.
Across the Ice
Winnipeg is coming off a 3-1 victory over Vancouver on Monday. Here is how they lined up for that contest:
Connor – Scheifele – Iafallo
Ehlers – Lowry – Appleton
Niederreiter – Namestnikov – Perfetti
Gustafsson – Barron – Tanev
Morrissey – DeMelo
Samberg – Schenn
Stanley – Miller
Hellebuyck
On This Day in Kings History
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