LA Kings: Tanner Jeannot suspended three games for hit against Canucks

On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Kings played most of the game without forward Tanner Jeannot after he was given a match penalty after a hit on Brock Boeser midway through the first period. Since it was deemed a match penalty, Akil Thomas spent five minutes in the penalty box and Jeannot was sent to the locker room.

Match penalties are fairly rare but they almost certainly include a suspension for future games. On Friday, the NHL handed down that suspension and Tanner Jeannot will now miss the next three Los Angeles Kings' games.

Those next three games include a home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night, followed by road games against Calgary and Colorado on Monday and Wednesday respectively.

The Kings traded with the Tampa Bay Lighting for Jeannot this offseason sending a fourth round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a second round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He has played in 15 games this season with one goal and one assist with an average around 10:30 of ice time.

How do the Los Angeles Kings replace Tanner Jeannot over the next few games?

It is hard to argue with the suspension on the hit that Jeannot made on Boeser and Jim Hiller now must come up with a plan to replace him. Unfortunately, the Kings are dealing with a number of injuries on top of Jeannot's suspension that makes it a little challenging.

The most likely fourth line would have been Andre Lee, Trevor Lewis, and Akil Thomas which should be the case if Alex Turcotte is able to return. However, he was injured last weekend and missed the past two games.

If Turcotte is not able to return on Saturday, then Akil Thomas would move up likely to the second line and Kevin Fiala will play on the top line. This was the lines that the Kings used against the Canucks but it raises the question of who steps in to round out that fourth line.

The Kings could also call someone up from the Ontario Reign and Samuel Fagemo could make a lot of sense. He has been playing great hockey and has had four goals and three assists over the past three games.