LA Kings at Carolina Hurricanes Preview: Projected Lineups, Key Points, and More

The Los Angeles Kings look to salvage the road trip with a win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Look Back at Last Year:

The Kings went 1-0-1 against the Hurricanes last season, with their win here in Raleigh holding a lot of meaning. The Kings beat the Canes 5-2 last January, officially ending their eight game losing streak. Let's hope tonight's game holds similar value for LA.

Key Points against the Carolina Hurricanes:

1. Canes Change

The Hurricanes team is MUCH different than the one the Kings saw last season. In a shocking trade last week, the Canes landed superstar winger Mikko Rantanen from Colorado while also grabbing former MVP winner Taylor Hall from the Blackhawks. Leaving the Hurricanes were Martin Necas and Jack Drury, alongside a couple of draft picks. So far, these two have fit nicely in Carolina.

Let's start with the big piece first, Rantanen. It is tough to find a winger better than Rantanen, who is on pace for his third straight season with over 100 points. When looking at what he was traded for, many say they got him at a very low price. Since the trade, he has spent time on Carolina's top line next to Sebastian Aho and netted his first goal in their most recent win. Together, this Finnish duo makes up a terrifying first line in Carolina.

Now for Hall. While he is not the player he once was due to multiple injuries, Hall provides the Canes with more scoring depth. He has slotted in the Hurricanes' bottom six in both games he has appeared in, which is a nice addition for a team without some of their checking line forwards. Hall has collected one point in those two games.

With the additions of Taylor Hall and Mikko Rantanen, the Hurricanes offense has become much scarier.

2. Finally, February

For the second straight season, the month of January was not too kind to the LA Kings. The Kings won just 5 times across 13 games in the month, while averaging just 1.83 goals per game. LA began the month on the tails of Edmonton and Vegas but leaves the month ten points behind them in the standings. February, however, might hopefully mark some change.

After struggling through January last season, the Kings rattled off five wins in their first six games in February, eventually finishing the month 7-4-0 and regaining some of the ground lost from January. The Kings saw their offense bounce back a bit, something they desperately need to replicate this season. LA's defensive game did not slip as well, allowing just 2.6 goals per game.

While the month of February looks much different this season due to the Four Nations Faceoff, hopefully tonight's game can set the tone for LA in the new month.

3. Living without Mikey

While nothing is confirmed as of writing this, would not be surprised if the Kings took to the ice today without Mikey Anderson. LA's top left-handed defensemen took a shot off the hand/wrist area in the first period against Tampa and did not return.

Anderson has been fantastic for LA this season. He really took a step forward in his game when Drew Doughty was out. He has logged just under 23 minutes a night this season, with his previous career high sitting at 21:40. While the offensive production of Mikey Anderson is not the most important factor, he was still on pace to set a new career high in points, with 23. If Andeson cannot go, expect Brandt Clarke back in.

We will know more closer to puck drop.

Los Angeles Kings Lineup Notes:

As mentioned above, not expecting Mikey Anderson to play tonight. Brandt Clarke is the likely replacement. Here is how the Kings lined up in Tampa Bay.

Look across the ice at the Carolina Hurricanes:

Carolina is coming off of a 3-2 win against Chicago on Thursday. Here is how they lined up for that one.

Sebastian Aho and Taylor Hall did not play in the last game but are expected back. Jordan Staal is a game-time decision, and many other question marks are going around the Canes room due to illness.

Frederik Andersen will get the start.

How to Tune In:

Tonight's puck drop is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PST and 7:00 p.m. EST and is available to watch on FanDuel Sports Network West, with pregame coverage beginning 30 minutes prior. An audio-only feed is available on the ESPN LA App. Go Kings Go!