Los Angeles Kings Host Winnipeg Jets Saturday Night
The Los Angeles Kings will host the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. PST.
The Kings enter the game on a two-game losing skid. After losing to the Nashville Predators 7-6 in overtime the Kings dropped a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday.
L.A. has been one of the better teams in the NHL on home ice. The Kings are one of nine teams to have 14 wins on home ice this season. At Staples Center the Kings record is currently 14-5-3, even after the recent OT and regulation losses.
Similarly, the Winnipeg Jets are also on a two-game losing stretch. The Jets lost to the San Jose Sharks 3-2 on Monday before having a three-day break. On Thursday, the Jets most recent game, Winnipeg lost 4-1 to the Arizona Coyotes.
In the first meeting between the Kings and Jets L.A. got the win and two points at Staples Center, defeating Winnipeg 4-1.
This will be the third game in a row the Kings play at home. L.A. is in the middle of a seven game homestand.
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Puck Prose
Based on the line rushes from yesterday’s practice from Jon Rosen the L.A. Kings Insider lineup is expected to be as follows:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Tanner Pearson – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dwight King – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Kyle Clifford – Mike Richards – Trevor Lewis
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Matt Greene
Brayden McNabb – Jeff Schultz
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Despite it being Martin Jones birthday, Jonathan Quick is expected to start in goal for the Kings. Quick has carried the load this season. Since the holiday break Quick has started all six of the Kings games.
In his last three starts Quick has a 1-1-0-1 record, being pulled from Nashville’s game that resulted in an overtime loss. Over the last three games Quick’s save percentage hasn’t hit the .900 mark; the closest he’s gotten is .875.
Despite the poor numbers recently, Quick has a 2.40 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
Mike Richards should be in the lineup, despite Andy Andreoff skating with the fourth line during Thursday’s line rushes. Richards has 1 goal, 1 assist and a -1 plus/minus rating in his last three games.
Should Richards be a healthy scratch, Andy Andreoff will be the one to step in his place. Jordan Nolan is an option, but Andreoff can skate as a winger or a center, and is a more suitable choice in place of Richards.
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Jets White Out
Jets to keep an eye on:
Ex-Chicago Blackhawk and now Jets captain Andrew Ladd is a powerful, power-forward. Ladd leads the Jets in points, and is tied for the team lead in goals. Ladd has 15 goals, 33 points, a +6 rating, and 40 penalty minutes in 41 games. Ladd will be a physical presence in front of the net and in the corners.
Mark Scheifele is the Jets second line center. Scheifele is expected to be on of the Jets up and coming forwards. In his game against the Coyotes Scheifele had an assist. In 41 games Scheifele has 6 goals and 20 points. Keep an eye on Scheifele, he could appear on the score-sheet tonight.
Dustin Byfuglien is another relocated Blackhawk. Byfuglien can play forward or defense. With the Hawks Byfuglien was a winger, since his move to the Jets in 2010 Byfuglien has played on the blue line. Byfuglien is a big body, hard to move in front of both nets. Byfuglien always finishes his checks, and most of them are not light bumps.
The Jets will be adding reinforcements as well. Star forward Evander Kane and defensemen Toby Enstrom and Mark Stuart return to the lineup tonight.
Kane has only played 26 games this season, but he remains at 8th on the team in points; Kane has 6 goals and 18 points. Enstrom and Stuart will add strength and depth to the Jets defense.
In 41 games this season Byfuglien has 9 goals, 22 points, an even rating and 65 penalty minutes. That makes Byfuglien fourth in points on the team and first among defensemen. Byfuglien will be easy to notice.
Puck-drop is in three hours. Take a break from playoff football to enjoy a Western Conference matchup and some Kings hockey!
Go Kings Go!
Next: Los Angeles Kings Lose To The New York Rangers, Unlike Their Performance In The Stanley Cup
Oct 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets right wing Chris Thorburn (22) passes the puck defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez (27) during the third period at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Winnipeg Jets with a final score of 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports