Los Angeles Kings Host Philadelphia Flyers in Saturday Matinee
This afternoon the Los Angeles Kings take on the Philadelphia Flyers in a Saturday matinée. Puck-drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PST.
The Kings come into the game riding a two-game win streak after back-to-back shutouts against the Arizona Coyotes and the Boston Bruins.
L.A. returns to Staples Center this afternoon for the last time in almost two weeks. After Saturday’s game against the Flyers the Kings will embark on a five-game road-trip through the Northeast and ends in St. Louis.
Despite their winning streak the Kings remain in fourth place in the Pacific Division, the toughest division in hockey. L.A.’s record of 14-7-5 gives them 33 points, which is good enough for seventh place in the Western Conference.
Philadelphia’s most recent game was Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The Flyers fell to the Ducks 5-4 in a shootout.
Philadelphia’s record this year is 8-13-4. The currently sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division, and are one of the bottom four teams in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers are on a six game losing streak.
This is a game the Kings should win, and need to win to keep pace in the Pacific. L.A. should have the advantage if they can stay away from the run-and-gun style that Philadelphia prefer’s to play.
The Kings projected lineup for the game is as follows:
Forwards:
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
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
The Kings will keep the line combinations consistent from the Bruins and Coyotes games.
Jonathan Quick should return between the pipes, after rotating with Martin Jones for a game.
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Broad Street Buzz
The line of Williams, Stoll, and Brown has been on fire. Brown scored two goals and an assist in the Kings last game against Arizona.
It would be a surprise if Marian Gabroik is in uniform. Gaborik has missed the last two games with an undisclosed upper-body injury. The star forward has had an injury-plagued career, and unfortunately seems to have been bitten by the injury bug again.
Flyers players to watch out for:
Jakub Voracek is having a career year. Voracek is tied for the league lead with Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby for points-33, and assists-24. Voracek leads the Flyers in both categories as well.
Mark Streit has been a solid defensemen for the Flyers. At least, as solid as one can be for a struggling defensive unit. Streit leads Flyer defensemen in goals-4, assists-10, and points-14. If there’s one player to watch out for on the Flyer blue line, it’s Streit.
Vincent Lecavalier is an elderly statesmen. He’s declined as he’s gotten older. Lecavalier now plays on the Flyers third or fourth line. But he’s still dangerous with the puck. Lecavalier won’t create problems for matchups, but players should be aware of his presence when he’s on the ice, especially when he’s got the puck or is in front of the net.
Enjoy the early hockey, and as always:
Go Kings Go!