Tonight the Los Angeles Kings head to Rexall Place to face fellow Pacific Division foes, the Edmonton Oilers. Puck-drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PST.
It’s the Kings second game in as many nights. L.A. is coming off a 2-1 loss to Calgary, the other team from Alberta. The Flames speedy forecheck got Calgary out to an early lead and the Kings were never able to catch up.
After last night’s events the Kings are in a four-way tie, with the Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, and Flames; for 2nd place in the Pacific Division and 6th place in the Western Conference.
The Kings are 4-8-5 on the road, that’s the 4th worst road record in the NHL.
Edmonton is experience woes of their own. The Oilers home record is terrible, because their overall record is terrible at 7-22-7. Edmonton is 5-12-2 at home, getting 5 of their 7 wins for the home crowd. Head coach Dallas Eakins was relieved of his duties two weeks ago. Former Oiler player and General Manager Craig MacTavish is behind the bench assuming head coaching duties for now.
The Oilers last game was Saturday, when they too fell to the Flames by a score of 4-1.
The first time the Oilers and Kings met this season was back on October 14th. L.A. was victorious, winning 6-1.
Puck Prose
The Kings lines for tonight’s game are projected as follows:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter
Justin Williams – Jarret Stoll – Dustin Brown
Tanner Pearson – Trevor Lewis – Tyler Toffoli
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Dwight King
Jordan Nolan – Andy Andreoff
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Matt Greene
Brayden McNabb – Jamie McBain
Goaltenders:
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick
Expect Martin Jones to start in goal tonight. Jonathan Quick had a break over the holidays and started the last two games for the Kings. Jones will provide some relief for Quick on back-to-back nights, and it will be an opportunity for Jones to get some in-game experience after a long break.
Jones last start was a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on December 14th.
Keep an eye out for some last-minute line changes in tonight’s lineup. Marian Gaborik missed last night’s game with the flu, and the rumor is Jeff Carter may also be under the weather. Carter skated last night, but that’s no guarantee he’ll play tonight. If Carter or Gaborik can’t go Jordan Nolan will be next in line to suit up.
Nolan played for Gaborik last night against Calgary. Nolan had 0 points, a -1 rating, 2 hits in 9:27 on-ice time.
Trevor Lewis is quietly on a four-game point streak. Lewis has 2 goals and 2 assists in his last four games, including an assist on Tyler Toffoli’s goal from last night against the Flames.
Lewis is nearing career-highs in goals, points and plus/minus this season. Lewis is head coach Darryl Sutter’s kind of player, and he’s filled a great role in the Kings lineup. Lewis can play center or on the wing; he’s played on the first and fourth lines; he does what needs to be done to help the team win.
On the other hand, Mike Richards is skidding on a rough patch. Richards hasn’t scored in 14 games. In 37 games this season Richards has 4 goals and 12 points with a -5 rating. In his last 15 games Richards has 1 goal and 2 assists.
Oil On Whyte
Richards gives the Kings talented depth down the center, but 12 points in 37 games is a far-cry from Richards 2010-2011 performance when he scored 66 points in 81 games with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Oilers players to keep an eye on:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is one positive the Oilers have going. The 1st overall pick from the 2011 draft leads the Oilers with 10 goals, 13 assists, and 23 points in 34 games. Nugent-Hopkins is fast and skilled with the puck; he has great hands. Nugent-Hopkins will plays on all three phases for the Oilers: first line duties, power-play, and penalty-kill.
Taylor Hall is the Oilers best player and face of the franchise. Hall is tied with Nugent-Hopkins for the Oilers lead in goals at 10. In 30 games this season Hall has 21 points and a -7 rating.
Hall does everything right, he’s just on a team that doesn’t know how to win. Hall will fight for the puck along the boards, is a talented puck-handler, and has a sniper shot. As one of the two top forwards for the Oilers the Kings will be aware of Hall’s presence on the ice.
This is a win L.A. must have. With four teams currently dead-locked at 43 points the Kings need to pull ahead any way they can. That has to include kicking Edmonton while they’re down. Welcome to the pros.
Go Kings Go!
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Oct 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) battles for the puck with Edmonton Oilers center Mark Arcobello (28) and right wing Teddy Purcell (16) in the second period at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports