Wrapping up a five-game homestand on Monday night, the Kings have an opportunity to accomplish three key things — get back on the winning track after dropping a contest to the Stars on Saturday, head out onto their upcoming road trip with some positive momentum, and — perhaps even most importantly — back another two points in the Pacific Division standings.
History is on their side, as the Kings will be hosting the visiting New York Islanders, a team they’ve posted an 8-1-1 record against over their last 10 meetings at Crypto.com Arena, including wins in their last three matchups.
Coming off the return of forward Adrian Kempe on Saturday, coach Jim Hiller will get defenseman Mikey Anderson back for this one — putting the team one step closer to icing their ‘normal’ lineup. And it probably couldn’t come at a better time.
With a 2-1-1 record on the homestand thus far, the Kings coaching staff would really appreciate a better defensive effort than what they saw vs. the Stars, who handed them only their second regulation loss at home since the All-Star break.
Hiller is likely oping his team learned some valuable lessons over the weekend. It was the first time in quite a while that LA was drastically outplayed for a full 60 minutes. It’s something the Kings coach admitted, saying they were outplayed at every facet of the game. Thus, they’ll surely be looking for a more competitive effort tonight.
One change in the lineup that could potentially be in the works is a change in goal. After Cam Talbot has largely owned the net over the past few weeks, his loss on Saturday could lead to Hiller changing things up between the pipes vs. the Islanders. David Rittich, who has played well when given the opportunity, could be looked upon to slide in and give LA a boost.
Statistically Speaking
— The Kings’ 28.5 shots allowed-per-game is tied with Edmonton for the third-lowest among any team in the league.
— Entering the final night of their five-game homestand, LA carries a league-leading 86.0% penalty killing percentage (PK%), allowing a league-low 28 power-play goals over 200 shorthanded situations since the beginning of the season. The team’s penalty killing units have been even more impressive at home, allowing only 10 power-play goals in 97 shorthanded situations for a league-best home PK% of 89.7%.
— Specific to the Islanders, in their last eight games against New York (Feb. 2019 – present), the Kings have successfully killed off 19-of-20 shorthanded situations for a PK% of 95.0%. Since the league began tracking penalty kill time in 2009-10, no team has a higher PK% against the Islanders than the Kings (87.3%).
— For those who may have missed it, Brandt Clarke and Sammy Fagemo were returned to AHL Ontario on Friday. Both are with the Reing in Calgary and played last night.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Islanders
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Fiala
Laferriere – Dubois – Turcotte
Lizotte – Lewis – Kaliyev
* Published pre morning skate; will confirm when available. Notes on Anderson/Moverare above.
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Spence
Talbot (starter)
Rittich
Likely healthy scratches: Moverare
Injured: Anderson, Kempe
LTIR: Arvidsson, Copley, Grundstrom
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by KCAL 9.
For those live in attendance, the LA Kings Booster Club will offer their popular ‘Puck for a Buck’ contest — featuring Trevor Moore 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.
LA Royal Army, another fan support group, has a booth outside section 303. They do watch parties and other fun activities. Stop by and check them out.
Across the Ice
New York is coming off a 6-1 victory in Anaheim on Sunday.
Here’s how they lined up for that one:
Nelson-Horvat-Barzal
Lee-Pageau-Palmieri
Engvall-Cizikas-Holmstrom
Martin-MacLean-Clutterbuck
Pelech-Dobson
Romanov-Pulock
Reilly-Aho
Varlamov
Sorokin
In their last 10 games, the Islanders are 7-2-1. As the away team, they’re 14-12-5 this season.
On This Day in Kings History
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