The Los Angeles Kings will host the Florida Panthers tonight at Staples Center. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST.
It’s the Kings first game in three days, after a 3-2 comeback win in overtime against the rival Anaheim Ducks.
Coincidently, the Panthers are also coming off a win against the Ducks. After the Kings wore down Anaheim on Saturday, the Panthers beat the Pacific Division leaders 6-2 on Sunday. At one point the Panthers were leading 6-1; the game was never close.
This is the first of two meetings between the Panthers and Kings.
The Rat Trick
The Kings enter the game with a record of 9-5-4, with 22 points, putting them in a tie with the San Jose Sharks for 4th place in the Pacific Division and 6th place in the Western Conference.
The Panthers are 6-4-5, 7th in the Atlantic Division and tie for 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Every team is good enough in the NHL, that anyone can win on any given night. If the Kings want to get back in control of the Pacific Division and their playoff fate, this is a game they must win.
The Kings estimated lineup for tonight is as follows:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Trevor Lewis
Dwight King – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Tanner Pearson – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Dustin Brown
Jordan Nolan – Andy Andreoff
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Robyn Regehr – Brayden McNabb
Jamie McBain – Matt Greene
Goalies:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
The Panthers Roberto Luongo is the projected starter between the pipes. Luongo has 5 wins in 12 starts with a .927 save percentage and a 2.24 goals against average.
Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant decided to start Flordia’s west coast road trip off on a different foot, starting backup goaltender Al Montoya against the Ducks. The Panthers previously played on Friday night, but did not have back to back games. Montoya was the talk of the town in Anaheim, stopping 33 of 35 shots for a .943 save percentage. It was Montoya’s first win of the season.
Nov 6, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant talk to his team during a timeout against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Panthers, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Despite the impressive game, the Panthers will likely to turn to Luongo to start against the Kings.
Top Panther players to watch out for are Jussi Jokinen, who leads the team with 10 assists and 11 points, and Brad Boyes who is tied for the lead in goals with 4, and third on the team with 9 points. Defensive rookie sensation Aaron Ekblad has been impressive in his young career, showing he can produce at the NHL level. Ekblad is second on the team with 8 assists and 10 points.
Other Panthers to keep an eye on are Nick Bjugstad, and Jonathan Huberdeau, who are strong skaters that can help carry a team.
It will be a surreal scene at Staples Center, as former Kings defensemen Willie Mitchell returns for the first time. Mitchell will be presented with his Stanley Cup ring tonight.
The Kings have a day off before their next game, so look for Quick to get the start in net.
The Deadly Duo of Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar have performed well as of late. The two players have a total of 3 goals and one assist in the Kings last three games. Gaborik and Kopitar will continue to skate together on the Kings first line.
The Duo needs to keep putting the puck in the net, and continue to bolster their chemistry from the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
That 70’s Line has been split up. After catching fire in the beginning of the season, Jeff Carter and the two youngsters Tanner Pearson, and Tyler Toffoli have slowed down. Toffoli is the only one of the three that remains hot. Toffoli has scored twice, and has four points in his last four games. Toffoli leads the Kings with 8 goals, 18 points, and a +13 plus/minus. Toffoli also leads the NHL with 4 short-handed goals.
Tonight’s game will be a prime opportunity for the rest of the team to pick up some slack an contribute in the stats column.
Oct 13, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) takes a shot on Florida Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) as center Jonathan Huberdeau (11) looks on in the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports