Los Angeles Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Game Time, Injuries, Keys, Stats

Dec 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) goes into the corner after the puck against Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) goes into the corner after the puck against Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – Thursday, January 7, 2015

The Los Angeles Kings come into Thursday’s meeting with the Toronto Maple Leafs having lost their last game, a 4-1 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche after winning their previous five games. Thursday also marks the first full day that recent acquisitions Luke Schenn and Vincent Lecavalier are Kings. The team is hoping both players will be available for today’s morning skate and play later tonight.

The Leafs enter the contest having shutout the Anaheim Ducks 4-0 one night earlier. The last time the Leafs and Kings met, the blue and white blanked the black and silver 5-0 in Toronto. The Leafs, winners of three straight, fell 2-0 the last time they were in L.A.

The key for the Kings

Get the lead early

The Leafs just played Wednesday night while the Kings haven’t played since Monday. It will be crucial for a well-rested L.A. team to come out of the gate hard to get an early lead and make Toronto play catch-up. Even though the Leafs cruised to a 4-0 win over the Ducks last night, back-to-back games aren’t easy, and the harder Toronto has to work the better. It will likely be either Jonathan Bernier, who played last night, or James Reimer, who has played only twice since December 3 because of a nagging groin injury, in goal.

Game Info

Game Time: 7:30 p.m. (PT)/10:30 p.m. (ET)
Location: Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
TV: FS-W
Radio: AM 790 KABC
Online Stream: NHL GameCentre Live
Odds: LA -220

Dec 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Staples Center exterior on Figueroa St. and downtown Los Angeles skyline before an NHL match between the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the Staples Center exterior on Figueroa St. and downtown Los Angeles skyline before an NHL match between the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Injury Report

Los Angeles
Questionable – C Jeff Carter (Upper Body)
Injured Reserve – D Matt Greene (Shoulder), LW Kyle Clifford (Upper Body)

Toronto
Questionable – C Byron Froese (Lower Body)
Injured Reserve – C Nick Spaling (Upper Body), D Stephane Robidas (Knee), G Garrett Sparks (Lower Body)

Next: Los Angeles Kings: Norris Trophy Awaits Drew Doughty

The Stats