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.
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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.
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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
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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)
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