Los Angeles Kings Host Edmonton Oilers Tonight
Apr 10, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) and Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown (23) battle for a loose puck during the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Kings will host the Edmonton Oilers tonight at Staples Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST.
The Kings are coming off their first win of the season, after beating the Winnipeg Jets 4-1. The Oilers have been struggling to start the season, going 0-1-1, losing to the Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks in a shootout.
L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen reported the morning skate’s lineup is as follows:
Forwards:
Mike Richards – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Andy Andreoff – Jordan Nolan
Defensemen:
Brayden McNabb – Drew Doughty
Robyn Regehr – Slava Voynov
Alec Martinez – Matt Greene
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Marian Gaborik did not skate this morning and is likely out with a muscle injury sustained during the Kings training camp. Gaborik had to miss the final two games of camp because of the same injury, but was able to return to the first three games of the regular season. After reaggrivating the injury Gaborik will be sidelined for an undisclosed amount of time. Gaborik has been criticized, throughout his career, for being injury prone.
Andy Andreoff is likely to dress in Gaborik’s place, and it will be Andreoff’s first NHL game.
Mike Richards will skate up on the first line with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. After struggling in the first two games the Kings moved Dustin Brown down to the third line and Williams to the first. With Gaborik out, Richards will come up and play wing to start the game.
Trevor Lewis and Jake Muzzin will continue to be out of the lineup as well. Muzzin has yet to play and is dealing with an undisclosed injury. Lewis was hurt in the Kings first game of the season against the San Jose Sharks. The Kings are considering putting Lewis on the Injured Reserve list, to free up some cap space until he can return to the lineup.
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With all the injuries to Lewis, Muzzin, and Gaborik the Kings are down to 20 active, available players on their roster. According to capgeek.com the Kings have $479,021 in available space. If the Kings need to bring up another player David Van der Gulik is the next forward on the depth chart. Van der Gulik is not only next on the depth chart, he is the cheapest forward available in terms of cap-space with a contract value of #550,000.
Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick is likely to start in net. Quick is still looking for his first win of the season. In back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday this past weekend, Quick and backup Martin Jones split games. Jones played during the Kings first victory of the season Sunday, against Winnipeg.
Forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle will not be in the lineup for the Oilers tonight.
Tonight’s game against the Oilers is the second in a six game home-stand for the Kings. After playing Winnipeg at home on Sunday, and hosting the Oilers tonight, the Kings will entertain the St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, and Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center.