Well…it’s 72 games later, and the Reign will still have something to play for during their 2024-25 finale on Saturday at Toyota Arena. With only one game remaining on Ontario’s regular season schedule, they find themselves tied with Abbotsford for second place in the Pacific Division. And as somebody in the AHL front office was probably hoping for, those clubs will play each other tonight — in what sort of amounts to a winner-take-all contest.
Despite a 7-3 record over their last 10 games, the Reign will certainly have their hands full in this one. Across the ice will be a red-hot Canucks team, winners of 15 of their last 17 games.
Beyond the bragging rights of finishing in second, rather than third place, and putting aside the importance of getting some measure of revenge over the Canucks for the thrashing they handed coach Marco Sturm’s club a few months ago in Canada, the outcome of Game 72 really boils down to one thing — who the Reign will face in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Big picture, the schedule is already set. As either the second or third seed, the days and locations have been decided. This is how the schedule will lineup:
Game 1: Monday, Apr. 21 at Toyota Arena
Game 2: Thursday, Apr. 24 at Crypto.com Arena
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, Apr. 26 at Crypto.com Arena
Should the Reign advance, they also have a hold on Monday, Apr.28 at Toyota Arena for a possible second round game. Ignore that for now, though, as there are some critical games to be played before Sturm even think about getting there.
Regarding their first-round opponents, if they defeat Abbotsford tonight and secure the second seed, Ontario will face either the Tucson Roadrunners or Bakersfield Condors (both of whom are playing for their playoff lives tonight).
However, if the Reign fall to the Canucks tonight, they’ll end up as the three seed and will meet either the Calgary Wranglers or San Jose Barracuda in round one (those teams are battling it out for fifth place).
With all that in mind, let’s shift focus to the actual game at hand tonight. Pheonix Copley is expected to get the start in net for Ontario. Since Erik Portillo went down with an injury in mid-February, Copley has stepped up and excelled as the Reign’s primary goaltender. His 2.45 goals-against average ranks fifth among AHL goalies who’ve played over 40 games this season.
Up front, first-year pro Kaleb Lawrence has elevated his play this month, including scoring a power-play goal that ultimately stood as the game-winner last night. He now has points in three straight contests and goals in the last two.
Recently signed Kings prospects Jared Wright was a standout on Friday, as well, putting on a skating clinic with his elite speed. While he didn’t find the scoresheet, he was a constant disruptor—creating chaos with his pace and energy every time he hit the ice.
Taylor Ward, who has not played for the Reign during this week’s homestand — after being called up to the NHL– is scheduled to sit out tonight’s game and then return for the playoffs. Not only did Ward score LA during his NHL debut on Thursday, but he also became half of the first father-son duo to ever suit with the Kings.
Defenseman Angus Booth was injured in last night’s game and will not play tonight. His status remains TBD moving forward. Yet, if he’s out longterm, that could be huge blow to Ontario’s playoff hopes. Just listen to some recent praise Sturm had for the young Kings prospect here.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. CANUCKS
Should there be any key changes during warmups, alignment below will be updated.
Wright – Gawdin – Chromiak
Lee – Studnicka – Fagemo
Singleton- Pinelli – Ziemmer
Element – Lawrence – Doty
Hicketts – Cecconi
Dvorak – Walsh
Jones – Salin
Copley (starter)
Ingham or George
Other roster options include: (F) Hudon, Jamsen, Olson, Ward and (D) Booth, Millar, Rowe and (G) George/Ingham
Injured: (D) Krygier and (G) Portillo
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on FloHockey. An audio only feed is also available on the ESPN LA app.
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