Los Angeles Kings at Minnesota Wild Tonight
Tonight, the day before Turkey day, the Los Angeles Kings will take on the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota.
The Kings are coming off a tough shootout loss from the night before, against the Nashville Predators. The Kings rallied late, tying the game 3-3, but were unable to score in the shootout leading to a sixth round loss.
Minnesota is on a one game winning streak after beating the Florida Panthers 4-1. The Wild are currently 5th in the Central Division, with 24 points and a record of 12-8-0. Another tough test on the road for the Kings, the Wild have been dominant at home like the Predators. Minnesota is 7-1-0 at Xcel Energy Center this season.
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The Kings will likely stick with the same lineup from the night before. Hopefully the Kings get out to an early jump on the Wild, rather than suffering the same fate as they did against the Predators.
L.A.’s lines are expected to be as follows:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Trevor Lewis
Dwight King – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Justin Williams – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Tanner Pearson
Jordan Nolan – Andy Andreoff
Defensemen:
Robyn Regehr – Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin – Brayden McNabb
Jamie McBain – Matt Greene
Goalies:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick will get the start for the Kings tonight. Martin Jones started last night in Nashville, so the goalies will swap out on back-to-back nights. Quick has been the Kings best player this year, carrying the team to wins when they’ve been grossly outshot.
Marian Gaborik has 4 points in his last 4 games, including a goal and an assist last night against the Predators.
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Justin Williams is on a 5 game point-streak, including an assist last night, and two goals against Dallas. Williams has 2 goals and 6 points over the stretch, and his shown a reemergence ever since head coach Darryl Sutter put Williams and captain Dustin Brown back together on the same line.
Wild players the Kings need to watch out for:
Superstar forward Zach Parise leads Minnesota in points with 14 in 15 games played. Parise plays in all three phases of the game: the power-play, penalty-kill, and five-on-five. Parise has been a leader and a star for the Wild since he came over from the New Jersey Devils in free agency.
Second line forward Nino Niederreiter leads the Wild in goals with 10. Niederreiter is tie for second on the Wild in points with 13 in 20 games. Niederreiter’s production has been incredible for the Wild, to the bane of New York Islander fans, as a second line forward. Niederreiter gives Minnesota depth and is a good complement to fellow forwards, and ex-Buffalo Sabres, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek.
Superstar defensemen Ryan Suter is tie for the team lead in plus/minus with a +13 rating. Suter is the best American born defensemen in the NHL, logging an average of 30-minutes a game, a tremendous workload. Suter, similar to his old Predators teammate Shea Weber, is a player the Kings are aware of, but need to keep a watchful eye on anyone, because he can hurt opposing teams in a number of ways.
L.A. is going to have to find a way to beat Minnesota’s goalie Darcy Kuemper often and early. The Wild are tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for fewest goals against the NHL at 44. Minnesota is coming to be known for stingy defense and great goaltending this season.
If the Kings want a second road victory, they will need to get out to the lead and suppress the Wild’s chances. It seems to be one of the limited routes to finding victory in Minnesota.
Puck-drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PST. It should be a good one.
Go Kings Go!
October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise (11) moves the puck ahead of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Greene (2) during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports