Los Angeles Kings Host Toronto Maple Leafs at Staples Center Tonight!
The Los Angeles Kings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs at Staples Center tonight. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST.
The Kings come into tonight’s game on a three-game skid. L.A. has lost two of their last three in extra time: losing to the Nashville Predators 7-6 in overtime, and 5-4 to the Winnipeg Jets in a shootout.
L.A.’s come out in similar fashion in each game, getting down early then recovering enough to even the score but just short of a win.
The Kings are currently 4th in the Pacific and 8th in the Western Conference. The Kings have a record of19-13-10 for 48 points.
The Maple Leafs have had a down week themseleves. Last week Tuesday, January 6th Leafs head coach Randy Caryle was fired. Toronto has struggled regularly, not winning a game in January in their first three contests.
The Leafs finally got a win in their most recent game on Friday, beating the Columbus Blues Jackets 5-2. Leafs assistant coach Peter Horachek got his first NHL win after being named interim head coach.
While the Leafs have been dealing with personnel changes and a losing record, the Kings have been battling with injuries and changes to their roster.
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Puck Prose
The Kings roster has been shaken by injuries. Based on this morning’s line rushes from L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen the Kings lineup should be as follows:
Forwards:
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter
Dustin Brown – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Dwight King – Mike Richards – Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford – Andy Andreoff – Jordan Nolan – Nick Shore
Defensemen:
Brayden McNabb- Drew Doughty
Jake Muzzin – Matt Greene
Alec Martinez – Jeff Schultz
Goaltenders:
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones should start in goal for the Kings tonight. It will be his first start in a month exactly. Jones’ last start was against the Montreal Canadiens on December 12th. The Kings lost the game 6-2.
Jones is 3-3-2 in 9 games this season, posting a 2.32 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.
With That 70’s Line devestated by injury, head coach Darryl Sutter will bump Jeff Carter up to first-line wing. Carter skated at wing alongside Marian Gaborik and Anze Kopitar two weeks ago. The three Kings stars have chemistry and can generate a ton of offense. L.A. needs them to produce now.
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Editor In Leaf
Toronto players to keep an eye on:
Phil Kessel is really under the microscope. Toronto’s leading scorer is a leader in the locker room, and was one of the voices that openly disagreed with Carlyle on more than one occasion. Kessel is tied for the team lead in goals with 19, and leads the team in assists with 24, for 43 points in 42 games. Kessel is also a -7.
Many in Toronto consider him an underachiever, believing he doesn’t do enough. Now that he’s gotten his way and the Kings have brought in a new coach, there’s no more excuses. Kessel has to pick it up and start leading the Leafs in more than stats; he has to lead his team to wins. Kessel knows this, so he’ll be flying around tonight against the Kings.
Nazem Kadri was touted as a young emerging star for Toronto. In 40 games this season Kadri has 11 goals, 14 assists, 25 points and a +3 rating. The second line center is talented offensively. Kadri is small, but speedy. He doesn’t have the makeup of a typical Western Conference center the Kings are used to facing, but he’s still dangerous with the puck. Keep an eye on Kadri flying around the ice.
The Kings need to take advantage of the Leafs woes to get over their own. Tonight represents two big points that could jump the Kings near the top of the Pacific Division.
As a side note, it’s Kings former draft pick, player, and commentator Darryl Evans birthday today! If you see him at the game tonight wish him a happy one! Maybe the Kings could give him a win as a gift.
The game will be underway in half an hour!
Go Kings Go!
Next: The Kings Are Hitting Their Annual Mid-Season Slump
Dec 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Kyle Clifford (13) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Stephane Robidas (12) battle in front of goaltender James Reimer (34) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Los Angeles 4-3 in an overtime shot out. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports