This isn’t just another game.
It isn’t just another two points.
Now is the time for the Kings to make a statement. They’ve dipped and doodled their way through 78 games of their 2023-24 regular season schedule. An equal mix of highs and lows were punctuated by a listless and inexcusable performance in Anaheim on Tuesday. Not that long ago, they dropped a 4-3 contest in Calgary, an equally uninspiring loss where they looked like anything other than a playoff team.
However, all can be forgotten rather quickly. If they Kings can handle their business on Thursday night in a rematch with the Flames, Jim Hiller’s team will punch their ticket to the playoffs and then look to build some momentum over the final three games of the season when the Ducks roll into town on Saturday for another revenge fueled tilt.
First things first, though. Hiller needs to right the ship.
Some things in life just don’t make sense. Oftentimes there’s no plausible explanation for reality. In many ways, there is a strong argument for applying this logic to the Kings season. At this point, it doesn’t make much sense. How does a team that dominates the first-place Canucks come out and decide not to play hard against a cross-town rival in a game where they could clinch a playoff berth?
Does anybody know which team will be taking the ice for puck drop tonight?
Hiller has been left searching for answers following multiple lackluster performances over the past 10 days. In speaking with the media following Tuesday’s game, center Blake Lizotte admitted there are some individuals who have drifted away from playing a team game. This isn’t the kind of talk that provides promise for a team that seems destined for a third straight rematch with the surging Edmonton Oilers.
From all indications, Hiller will go with the same group of players used on Tuesday, including Cam Talbot in net. While nothing is confirmed as of yet, this would suggest the following goaltender rotation to round out the regular season:
vs. Calgary – Cam Talbot
vs. Anaheim – Rittich
vs. Minnesota – Talbot
vs. Chicago – Rittich
If this holds, Talbot should be well rested come playoff time.
Statistically Speaking
— MORE DATA COMING SOON… start here:
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Flames
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Dubois – Lewis
Thomas – Lizotte – Laferriere
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Spence
Talbot (starter)
Rittich
Possible scratches: Kaliyev, Moverare
LTIR: Copley (out for the year), Grundstrom (eligible to return when medically cleared), Turcotte (min. April 12)
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Across the Ice
Calgary is coming off a 3-2 victory over San Jose on Tuesday.
Here’s how they lined up for that one:
Sharangovich – Backlund – Coleman
Pospisil – Kadri – Kuzmenko
Huberdeau – Zary – Mangiapane
Greer – Rooney – Coronato
Weegar – Miromanov
Okhotiuk – Andersson
Solovyov – Pachal
Wolf
In their last 10 games overall, the Flames are 2-8-0. As the away team, they’re 16-18-4 this season.
On This Day in Kings History
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