Los Angeles Kings Face-Off Against Ducks in Anaheim

The Los Angeles Kings will face-off against the Ducks tonight in Anaheim.  Puck-drop is slated for 7:30 p.m. PST.

This is the first time the two teams will meet, since the Western Conference semi-final, game 7.

L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen reported that the Kings had an optional morning skate due to the team having three games over the upcoming four days (Wed. Thurs. Sat.).

The Kings will likely stick with the same roster as the game on Saturday against the Canucks.  There will be one exception: the newly signed defensemen, Jamie McBain will make his first appearance in the Kings lineup tonight if Robyn Regehr is not able to go.

The Kings projected lineup is as follows:

Forwards:

Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams

Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli

Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown

Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Trevor Lewis

Jordan Nolan

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Oil On Whyte

Defensemen:

Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty

Jamie McBain – Alec Martinez

Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene

Robyn Regehr

Goalies:

Martin Jones

Jonathan Quick

Quick was at the optional skate, and with two games in four days against the Ducks, Martin Jones may get the start tonight.  Jones has been impressive in his 2 starts, and 3 games played, posting a .929 and a 1.73 goals against average.

If Regehr is unable to play, McBain will likely be paired with Alec Martinez on the second pairing.  If not McNabb could step up and play with Martinez, while the coaching staff pairs McBain with veteran Matt Greene.  It’s unlikely that Muzzin and Doughty get broken up.

Another question for the Kings will be who gets to suit up: Jordan Nolan or Kyle Clifford.  Clifford has looked good on the fourth line the last few games, and the Kings played well with a short roster while Nolan was serving a two-game suspension.  Clifford will likely get the nod for fourth line duties tonight.

Frederik Anderson is likely to get the start in goal for the Ducks.

The Ducks Corey Perry and Francois Beauchemin are still out with a viral infection.  Ryan Getzlaf has returned to the lineup though and will be skating for the Ducks.

The Ducks lineup is projected as follows:

Lance Pugmire also reported in the LATimes that Coach Bruce Boudreau doesn’t make roster changes based on the Ducks opponent.  Yet Boudreau has created a special, physical fourth line for the Kings game tonight.  The fourth line is Tim Jackman-Nate Thompson-Patrick Maroon.

“All big bodies, can all hit and play physical and can definitely wear down the opposition,” Thompson said.  “We can all move pretty well.  We should be able to control the play down low.”

It will be important for the Kings fourth line to match up and control the physicality and flow of play amongst the fourth lines tonight.

Ducks defensemen Cam Fowler will also be returning to the lineup tonight.  Fowler is a good puck moving defensemen that gets time on the power-play for the Ducks.

This will be another great test for the Kings coming off of a game against the Pacific Division leaders in the Canucks, the Kings get the second place Ducks.  It’s a fun filled rivalry week for the Kings and Ducks; they meet again on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.

Sep 28, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Martin Jones (31) blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) during the third period at Honda Center. The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Anaheim Ducks with a final score of 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports