This matchup Monday night might be all too familiar to the Los Angeles Kings as a franchise with the fact that they once again are playing the Edmonton Oilers, a team they have met the previous three years. However, there is plenty of difference regarding the roster itself, and the Kings could have up to eight players make their playoff debut in this series.
Here is quick rundown of the LA Kings who might make their playoff debut, starting with the one who has had the shortest tenure.
Andrei Kuzmenko
The LA Kings traded for Andrei Kuzmenko at the NHL Trade Deadline and the move has worked out probably better than they could have ever imagined. As a rookie, he showed tremendous promise with 39 goals and 35 assists during the 2022-23 season.
However, since then, he has played for four different teams (including the Kings) over two seasons. In total he has 219 career NHL games but in his stops with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers, he has never appeared in a playoff game.
Kuzmenko not only will play but could have a big say in their success against the Oilers. He has settled in nicely on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe but the area he has made the most impact is on the power play with five power play assists.
Brandt Clarke
Since the addition of Kuzmenko, the Kings shifted from what they had done most of the season in terms of a roster alignment of 11 forwards and 7 defensemen for games to the more traditional 12/6 split. This has helped Brandt Clarke settle into his role on the defense and in the final 20 or so games he averaged around 16 minutes of ice time per game.
The Kings should continue to keep that rotation but it wouldn't be surprising towards the end of the game, especially in close games, shrinking the rotation and going to two pairs with Clarke and Jordan Spence sitting.
Alex Turcotte/Samuel Helenius/Jeff Malott
Another player who was impacted by the addition of Kuzmenko was Alex Turcotte, as he would move down to the fourth line, but it was a move that was positive, as it really solidified that line. He is joined by Samuel Helenius and likely Jeff Malott for the playoff games, and they will all be making their playoff debut together.
Helenius would be called up around the trade deadline and was a regular in the lineup to finish the season with 50 regular season games. Meanwhile, Malott was called up from the Ontario Reign after the Tanner Jeannot injury and has filled his spot on that fourth line and done a good job of it.
Jacob Moverare/Akil Thomas/Kyle Burroughs
The last three players who could make their playoff debut this season are much more of a question mark. The trio of Jacob Moverare, Kyle Burroughs and Akil Thomas have been with the LA Kings most of the season but only been in the lineup to fill in for an injured player over the past few weeks.
Unless there is an injury during these playoffs, these three players might have to wait until next season for their playoff debut.