Los Angeles Kings Visit the Desert to Face Arizona Coyotes

Thursday night the Los Angeles Kings travel to the Arizona desert to face the Coyotes in Glendale.  Puck-drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. PST.

The Kings come into the matchup after shutting out the Boston Bruins 2-0 on Tuesday.  L.A. is riding the one game winning streak and looking for revenge against the Coyotes who won the first matchup between the division rivals 3-2 in overtime on October 11th.

The Kings are expected to keep the same lines they skated in the Bruins game.  L.A. held an optional practice this morning so there were no real line rushes, according to L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen.

The Kings projected lines are as follows:

Forwords:

Tanner Pearson – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter

Dwight King – Mike Richards – Tyler Toffoli

Justin Williams – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown

Kyle Clifford – Trevor Lewis – Jordan Nolan

Defensemen:

Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty

Alec Martinez – Robyn Regehr

Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene

Goalies:

Martin Jones

Jonathan Quick

Alec Martinez returned to the Kings lineup after missing the last three weeks, and eight games with a broken finger.  The defensive core has returned so look of semblence with Martinez return.  And tonight will be his first night in a Kings uniform after signing his new contract.

Marian Gaborik is still out with an undisclosed upper-body injury.  So the mixed 7-d 11 line will go with Pearson, Carter and Kopitar.

Coyotes to watch out for:

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Mike Smith will get the start in goal tonight.  Smith has had an up-and-down season, starting off in a rough patch then getting a hold on his game.  Currently Smith has a 3.23 goals against average and a .891 save percentage.  Not very impressive numbers.  The Kings need to put traffic in front of him, get him moving and shoot the puck as much as they can.

Coyotes franchise defensemen and perinneal star Keith Yandle leads the team in points with 18.  Yandle is a handful, and the Kings are certainly used to his presence.  He should be watched on the points and stopped from controlling the puck.  Jumping on Yandle and the other Coyotes defensemen with a fast forecheck should help the Kings stay on top of things.

Mikkel Boedker leads the team with 8 goals, and is third with 16 points.  Boedker plays on Arizona’s top line.  Now with the Kings defense intact they should focus on shutting Boedker down.

Shane Doan has been a star for the Coyotes his entire career.  Doan’s getting up there in age but he can still play.  He’s been dropped down to the third line, which could make a matchup difficult.  Doan is currently fourth on the Coyotes with 15 points, including 7 goals.

Young defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a -13 for Arizona.  That’s the worst on the team.  Ekman-Larsson has 12 points, and is known as an offensive defensemen, but has clearly struggled in his own zone this year.  Look for the Kings to capitalize in Arizona’s zone, when he’s on the ice.

The game will be televised on FoxSports West.  Grab some popcorn, grab a seat and get ready for a Pacific Division matchup!

Go Kings Go!

Oct 11, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) sets up in front of Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) during overtime at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports