One last time.
This afternoon, Anze Kopitar will take the ice in his final regular season game at Crypto.com Arena, in front of Kings fans who have witnessed his legendary career for nearly twenty years.
For what is sure to be an emotional contest, there is still big business to take care of — as the Oilers are in town for yet another massive tilt between these two clubs.
In something that seemed nearly impossible just two months ago, Los Angeles is essentially in charge of their playoff destiny. A win today not only goes a long way toward the wild card race, but it also gives the Kings a much greater chance at capturing one of the top three spots in the Pacific Division.
And while a final home game against the Ducks would have provided the perfect symmetry to Kopitar’s illustrious career, if it couldn’t be Anaheim, then Edmonton seems only appropriate given their newfound history. The Oilers had actually largely been an afterthought on his time in the NHL — until the latter end that is.
From their four straight playoff battles to even the most recent game between the two teams (one which ultimately saw Jim Hiller’s dismissal as Kings coach), suddenly, the Kings-Oilers rivalry from back in the 90’s is white hot again.
As for today’s game, coach DJ Smith will be looking for a much better result than the last time these Oilers were in Downtown LA. Although that game was the infamous blowout, the team today is in a much different head space now. They’ve even won their last three games on home ice and hold a 4-1-1 record on this extended home stand.
Further, it’s pretty clear Anton Forsberg has emerged as LA’s top netminder. Even if Smith wants to stop short of calling him the number 1 goaltender, he’s certainly being used like one. Immersed in a fight for the postseason, Forsberg has won this opportunity by being nearly lights out down the stretch — possibly even saving this team’s season.
This isn’t just another game. It’s one filled with high stakes and a possible goodbye to Kopitar from the only city he’s called home since coming to North America. It’s sure to be an eventful day one way or another.
Statistically Speaking
— Anze Kopitar is set to play his final regular-season home game at Crypto.com Arena. He is the all-time leader in nearly every category in the history of the venue, including games played (757), goals (226), assists (471), points (697), plus/minus (+111), power play goals (68), and game-winning goals (39).
— Adrian Kempe scored his ninth game-opening goal of the season, tied for most in the NHL, as part of his team-leading 16th multi-point and sixth multi-goal game of the season Thursday night vs. Vancouver. With his pair of tallies, Kempe eclipsed the 70-point mark for the third consecutive season. Per NHL PR, Kempe is the eighth different skater in Kings history to record three consecutive 70-point campaigns.
— Kempe skates into Saturday’s matinee with eight goals and 12 points in his last seven games, dating back to March 26, including multi-goal efforts in three of those outings. In his last five games against Edmonton, Kempe has notched five points.
— Samuel Helenius is set to take the ice for his 100th career regular-season NHL game Saturday afternoon and would be the 26th different skater from the 2021 NHL Draft to reach the 100-game mark in their career.
— Joel Armia has scored in each of his last two games, dating back to Monday against Nashville, with his goal on Thursday against Vancouver marking his first game-winning goal as a member of the Kings.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Oilers
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Panarin – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Byfield – Laferriere
Armia – Laughton – Wright
Malott – Helenius – Ward
Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci
Forsberg (starter)
Kuemper
Likely scratches: (F) Joseph, Turcotte and (D) Moverare
Injured Reserve: Fiala, Kuzmenko (injury status updates here)
How to Watch the Game
Puck drop is set for 1:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by FanDuel Sports. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
More on the Kings’ changing TV situation for next season can be found here.
Across the Ice
Edmonton is coming off a 5-2 victory over San Jose on Wednesday. Here’s how they lined up in that matchup:
Podkolzin – McDavid – Savoie
RNH – Samanski – Roslovic
Dach – Dickinson – Frederic
Jones – Henrique – Kapanen
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Murphy
Walman – Emberson
Ingram
On This Day in Kings History
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