Everything’s bigger in Texas, as they often say. Look no further than Saturday night’s contest between the Kings and Stars in order to back up this claim. It may just be a regular season game in March, yet this is certainly a big one for LA.
It’s the finale of a quick three-game road trip through the Central Division, where the Kings have split the first two games. Coming off a dominant win over the Blackhawks on Friday, confidence and swagger should not be an issue tonight. However, it was just last week when Dallas came into Los Angeles and outplayed the Kings in every aspect of the game. A shot at revenge is just another reason why tonight’s showdown is crucial for coach Jim Hiller’s team.
All said, there are possible reasons for concern as LA’s bench boss contemplates the matchup. To put it mildly, Dallas will be a much tougher opponent than Chicago was 24 hours ago. Sure, the Kings posted a 5-0 shutout in that one and played very well, but that doesn’t matter once the puck drops in Texas. It’s a brand new game and another chance to grab two points as the Western Conference playoff race continues.
If there is one player to watch tonight it’s goaltender David Rittich. Expected to get the nod after Cam Talbot played in Chicago, Rittich is vying for more playing time. He earned a shutout in his last start, which came after a four-game stretch that saw him allow a total of 12 goals. Through it all, he’s holding a .919 save percentage with 10 wins in his 19 games played. This will provide another big challenge for the man known as “Big Save Dave.”
Hiller will have at least one other lineup change to mull over. Coming on the second night of a back-to-back set, he may opt to play Arthur Kaliyev — giving his club a fresh set of legs — rather than continue to run with the 11+7 configuration largely used over the past few weeks. Should he go in this direction, in would most likely result in defenseman Jacob Moverare getting the night off.
Statistically Speaking
— Pregame, it’s all about NHL legend Mike Modano. The Hall of Fame forward will have a statue unveiled outside American Airlines Center. His list of accomplishments on the ice is long, including a Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999. Modano is arguably the greatest American-born hockey player of all-time. For those who may have missed it, here’s a must-listen interview he did with MayorsManor a few years ago:
— Since Hiller took over as coach, Quinton Byfield has notched 14 points (5G, 9A) in 18 games. Should he pick up a point tonight, Byfield would be the 11th skater in franchise history 21 years of age or younger to hit the 50-point mark in a single season, and the first since Drew Doughty in 2009-10. He is also one goal away from recording his first career 20-goal season. The last Kings player to record at least 20 goals in a season at age 21 or younger was Anze Kopitar in 2008-09.
— No active skater has played more games against the Stars than Kopitar’s 70, while his 59 points (21G, 38A) vs. Dallas is second-most behind Patrick Kane.
— Phil Danault has points in each of his last three games (1-2=3) against the Stars at American Airlines Center.
— LA’s penalty kill has gone 41 straight games without allowing multiple power-play goals, dating back to Dec. 13 vs, Winnipeg. It is the longest such streak in Kings franchise history. Of note, the Dallas Stars accomplished a 46-game run of not allowing multiple power-play goals this season from Oct. 12, 2023 to Jan. 21, 2024.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Stars
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Fiala
Laferriere – Dubois – Turcotte
Lewis – Lizotte – (Kaliyev)
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Spence
(Moverare)
Rittich (starter)
Talbot
Likely scratches: One of Kaliyev / Moverare, see above information
LTIR: Arvidsson, Copley, Grundstrom
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 5:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Across the Ice
Dallas is coming off a 6-2 defeat at the hands of New Jersey on Thursday.
Here’s how they lined up for that one:
Robertson – Pavelski – Hintz
Benn – Stankoven – Johnston
Marchment – Duchene – Dellandrea
Faksa – Smith – Steel
Heiskanen – Harley
Tanev – Lindell
Hakanpaa – Suter
In their last 10 games, the Stars are 6-3-1. As the home team, they’re 13-17-4 this season.
On This Day in Kings History
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