Two games can make a huge difference — that can be said looking backward, as well as what’s to come in the next 48 hours.
Using LA’s pair of most recent games, the narrative surrounding coach Jim Hiller’s team has certainly changed. They went from a month of January, where they couldn’t seem to buy a goal, to a team that has found the back of the net 10 times in two February contests. Four goals in this recent flurry have come from Kevin Fiala, who just might be the hottest player in the league over his past 10 games.
No time to live in the past, however; Dallas is in town tonight for a Western Conference showdown between two playoff-caliber teams. Friday also kicks off a rare back-to-back set at home, with a Saturday game vs. the Ducks still on tap. Thus, Hiller will likely split his starting goaltenders, with David Rittich believed to be getting the nod first.
Among the pregame questions still to be answered is if LA’s bench boss will be true to his words from earlier in the week, where he indicated an 11+7 lineup configuration was coming again soon. Is that tonight or perhaps tomorrow?
Defenseman Mikey Anderson is not expected to play tonight. He’s doubtful — but possible — against Anaheim. Either way, he’s expected to return from his hand injury after the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament, when the Kings host Utah on Feb. 22 — more on that game here.
If Anderson does indeed return this weekend, Hiller may have to do some lineup gymnastics to ensure everyone gets their minutes in.
With the recent scoring surge, one has to wonder if it has affected GM Rob Blake’s trade deadline plans. With some of the narrative changing nearly daily, LA is still believed to be shopping for a right-shot forward. More on that developing situation here:
Statistically Speaking
— Overall, Hiller’s team owns the league’s best home record, holding a 16-3-1 mark thus far. Of LA’s 31 regular season games remaining, 21 will be played at Crypto.com Arena.
— With their 6-3 victory over Montreal on Wednesday night, the Kings established their highest win total through their first 20 home games in a season, per NHL PR. (Previous best: 15-4-1 in 2012-13).
— The Kings are 54-47-19-4 all-time against the Stars on home ice. Their most recent matchup came at Crypto.com Arena back in December, resulting in a 3-2 victory for LA.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Canadiens
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Turcotte – Kopitar – Kempe
Foegele – Danault – Moore
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Jeannot – Lewis – Thomas
Gavrikov – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Moverare – Spence
Rittich (starter)
Kuemper
Likely scratches: (F) N/A and (D) Anderson, Burroughs, Englund
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised locally by FanDuel Sports Network. 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 Kevin Fiala 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
Dallas is coming off a 2-1 loss to Anaheim on Tuesday. Here’s how they lined up for that contest:
Robertson – Hintz – Stankoven
Marchment – Duchene – Granlund
Benn – Johnston – Dadonov
Bäck – Steel – Blackwell
Harley – Lyubushkin
Lindell – Ceci
Bichsel – Dumba
Oettinger
On This Day in Kings History
MORE LA KINGS NEWS:
Follow @mayorNHL
Continue reading...
