Thursday night the Los Angeles Kings will play in Vancouver against the Canucks. It’s the second game of New Year’s Day, the other is the Winter Classic featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals.
The Kings are coming off an embarrassing shootout loss to the worst team in the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers. L.A. got out to an early deficit, down 2-0 in the first two periods. The Kings controlled the third period and salvaged a point, but couldn’t score in a four round shootout, giving up the win to the Oilers.
With one win in their last four games the Kings have fallen back to 5th place in the Pacific Division. L.A. has 44 points and a record of 18-12-8; one point behind the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Canucks.
Vancouver is 2nd in the Pacific with a record of 21-11-3. The Canucks have three games in hand on the Kings. Tonight could increase Vancouver’s lead on the rest of the Pacific, and shorten the game between the Canucks and the division leading Anaheim Ducks.
In their most recent game the Canucks defeated the Sharks in San Jose 3-1. Opposite from the Kings the Canucks got out to an early two-goal lead, and were able to hold San Jose back.
In this season’s first meeting the Kings defeated the Canucks 5-1 at Staples Center.
An interesting side point: the Kings have lost two of their last four games to the Calgary Flames, the team who L.A. has the most losses to in team history. The Kings come in to play the Canucks for the second time this season, and Vancouver is the team the Kings have the most wins against in franchise history.
Puck Prose
L.A.’s lineup is expected to be:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter
Dustin Brown – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Tanner Pearson – Trevor Lewis – Tyler Toffoli
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Dwight King
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Jeff Schultz
Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene
Jamie McBain
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Quick will continue his 4 game starting streak. Quick has been good for the Kings coming out of the break, but with the team struggling to score goals, Quick has struggled to get wins. Quick’s got a 2.28 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. Quick’s allowed 10 goals in his last 5 games, but only has 2 wins over that span.
Andy Andreoff made an appearance in the Kings last game against the Oilers. Andreoff replaced Kyle Clifford on the fourth line, recording 2 hits, 1 shot and 2 penalty minutes for roughing against Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens.
Andreoff could go, but it’s likely to be a game time decision.
Over the last two games Kings head coach Darryl Sutter has been changing the lineup to give the Kings an energy boost and combat the lethargic play that’s pervaded L.A. since the holiday break.
Canucks players to keep an eye on:
Puck Prose
Double trouble Sedin’s. The Sedin twins have been the face of the franchise for almost a decade. The Swedish brothers are first and second on the Canucks in points. Daniel has 8 goals and 31 points in 35 games. Henrik has the most assists on the team with 6 goals and 30 points in 35 games.
The twins play-off each other with an uncanny ability. It’s hard to read and break up a play, because it’s difficult to see and predict what the Sedin’s are setting up.
Henrik and Daniel play on the Canucks top line, first line power-play and kill penalties. L.A. will see plenty of the brothers tonight. Shutting down the twins is paramount to the road to victory.
Jannik Hansen is a big-bodied forward that plays a physical brand of hockey. Hansen is a power forward that gives the Canucks an edge. He can score too.
Hansen is currently on a two-game point streak. In his last five games Hansen has 1 goal and 2 assists. In 34 games this season Hansen has 9 goals, and 15 points. Surprisingly, Hansen’s 9 goals are second on the Canucks roster, only to Radim Vrbata, who has been this season’s free agent pickup sensation. Keep an eye out for Hansen, he’ll be occupying the front of the Kings net, trying to deflect shots and screening Quick.
Ryan Miller could give the Kings fits. L.A. has returned back to their old ways coming out of the holiday break: they generate a ton of shots, can’t get goals and fall behind en route to losing the game.
On the other side of that coin Miller has helped the Canucks return to winning form, giving Vancouver some stability in goal. This season Miller’s got a 2.50 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. For a team that’s struggled to score Miller’s presence in goal will only make it more difficult for the Kings to achieve victory.
The Kings can jump up into second place in the division with two points from tonight’s game.
Save some room to snack and enjoy this epic Pacific Division matchup.
Go Kings Go!
November 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) moves the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports