LA Kings: Two lineup changes we want to see for Ducks finale
By Ryan Sikes
2. Stop playing Kurtis MacDermid
The other move that will happen organically is inserting Tobias Bjornfot back into the lineup. McLellan indicated the 19-year-old missed Monday’s game and didn’t skate on Tuesday because he “just wasn’t feeling right.” The LA Kings head coach didn’t believe it to be COVID-19-related and expects him to be back on Wednesday night.
This is great because Kurtis MacDermid simply cannot play anymore. He’s played in 13 games this season and racked up nearly 160 minutes of on-ice time, but MacDermid has accounted for a 40.9 xGF%, per NaturalStatTrick.
He’s primarily been paired with Walker, and the duo has the fourth-worst xGF% (33.3 percent) in the NHL.
Maatta’s play further justifies dynamic defenseman need. dark. Next
Bjornfot has shown growing pains in his first full NHL season, but he offers way more at this point than MacDermid. It’s time for some lineup changes to shore up the LA Kings defense. Might we see general manager Rob Blake make a trade to acquire a defenseman at the April 12 deadline if the team is in contention?