With Alec Martinez being activated after being out for 18 games, the Kings now have brought back one of their top defensemen, and at a time where it could be crucial for their playoff hopes.
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The loss of Martinez added to the L.A. Kings’ woes when they were out a contributing defenseman, relying on Jamie McBain and Brayden McNabb to fill their empty holes. But now that Martinez is back, the Kings will have more options at the defensive end going into the final stretch of the season where they trail Calgary by one point for third place in the division, and they still trail Winnipeg for that coveted wild-card spot.
The Kings have revived their playoff hopes in recent games, but whether or not they continue that push remains to be seen. With Alec Martinez back in the lineup, fans may be put more at ease. However, with Martinez back in, someone needs to back out. And let’s take a look at who the unlucky defenseman is.
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Jamie McBain has 9 points in 26 games played this season with the Kings. The Kings picked him up in free agency as a replacement for Slava Voynov who has been dealing with legal troubles since October of last year. Picking up McBain was almost a steal for Los Angeles, and without a doubt, he’ll remain on the roster.
Brayden McNabb has come up big for the Kings this season when it comes down to the wire. He has 23 points in 64 games played this season and has been one of the Kings top contributing defensemen, because of him, the Kings have managed to pull out some big wins. Consider him untouchable on the roster.
So we get down to the last two. I didn’t discuss Jake Muzzin or Drew Doughty because it’s obvious that they will remain on the roster, as they are the centerpiece of the L.A. Kings defense. But we now get down to Robyn Regehr and Matt Greene. My bet would be that Matt Greene would be the first to get moved off the roster. In 70 games played this season with the Kings, he has just 9 points. He’s been missing this season when it comes to making big plays.
Los Angeles Kings
Robyn Regehr also only has 9 points this season, but that is in 55 games played, and Regehr has managed to come up big for the Kings in some pretty major defensive moves. So when all is said and done, Matt Greene is off the starting roster.
The Kings need these players, each and every one of them. But the problem is, some aren’t pulling their weight, and they need every bit of production that they can get. I know I’ve been a pretty pessimistic Kings fan so far this season, but with the way that the Kings are playing, and bringing Martinez back onto the ice, I have no doubts that the Kings will at least make a pretty good battle of it.