Los Angeles Kings Take On Philadelphia Flyers: Game Preview
The Los Angeles Kings will face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight at 4:00 p.m. PST; 7:00 p.m. EST.
It will be the second road game for the Kings this year. Unfortuantely for L.A. the road crew is short a few members.
Following Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets the Kings injury woes worsened. Star center, and assistant captain Anze Kopitar left halfway through the game and did not return. The stated reason was an upper-body injury.
Head coach Darryl Sutter said after Sunday’s game that Kopitar was “all right.” Kopitar has traveled with the team but is unlikely to suit up tonight against the Flyers.
Marian Gaborik and Trevor Lewis remained sidelined as well.
L.A Kings Insider Jon Rosen reported that the Kings will skate shorthanded tonight with 19 players – 17 skaters and 2 goalies. Skating with 19 players tonight in Philadelphia means the Kings will be eligible for an Emergency Call-up for Thursday’s game in Pittsburgh. Cap-space, and contract situations will complicate the process and determine which player the Kings will call up. For now, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see.
The reported lines from the morning skate are as follows:
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Broad Street Buzz
Forwards:
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dwight King – Mike Richards – Dustin Brown
Kyle Clifford – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Andy Andreoff – Jordan Nolan
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Trevor Lewis (All three – Out)
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Robyn Regehr – Alec Martinez
Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
No word on who is likely to get the start, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Kings rely on Quick while there are short-handed up front. Gaborik, Kopitar and Lewis are skating with the team but will all be scratched.
That 70’s Line will step up and play first line minutes against the Flyers first line. It’s a task they should not have trouble handling. Carter, Pearson, and Toffoli collectively lead the Kings in all four major categories: goals, assists, points, and plus/minus.
The Flyers top line has been the most productive. Jakub Voracek leads Philly with 11 points in 8 games. Flyer captain Claude Giroux is second with 10 points. Each player has 2 goals.
The Kings are coming off a six game win streak at home. The Flyers have won back-to-back games against the Penguins and Red Wings.
While the Flyers and Kings don’t have the most heated rivarly in hockey it will be an interesting night at Wells Fargo Center. Tonight will be the first time that former Flyer teammates Jeff Carter and Mike Richards return to Philly with two Stanley Cup Rings, each.
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) and center Mike Richards (10) hold the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers in second overtime during game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) tries to control the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Kings defeated the Flyers, 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
After coming close, losing in the 2010 Cup Finals to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Flyers decided to part ways with Richards and Carter during the 2011 offseason. Fast-forward three and a half years, and Carter and Richards couldn’t be in a better place: two-time champions on the verge of a dynasty. They’ve both made history twice, coming back in playoff series from a 3-0 defecit twice, once with Philadelphia in 2010 against Boston, and last season with the Kings against San Jose.
Seeing Carts and Rich on Wells Fargo ice won’t be easy for fans, because it will be a reminder of what they are missing, and a look at the glory and team they could have had. It will bring emotion and a level of tension to a hockey game that already has plenty of both.