LA Kings: Kevin Fiala violates team protocol, will not play against Sharks

The Los Angeles Kings are looking for their third straight win on Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks but will be doing so without one of their top forwards in Kevin Fiala. Shortly before the start of the game, the Kings announced that Fiala would not play after violating team protocol after he missed a meeting.

Fiala has been one of the team's most productive forwards dating back to last season after he was second in points with 73. He got off to a fast start this season with four goals in the first six games and is currently tied for the team lead in that category.

However, the past week has been nothing short of a disaster for Fiala that started on Thursday night against these San Jose Sharks. He would be called for a penalty late in the third period that gave the Sharks the man advantage. They would capitalize and score a goal that made it a game at 3-2.

Thankfully the Kings held on for the win but the penalties were once again an issue against the Utah Hockey Club. He would be called for a questionable interference penalty in the first period that wasn't necessarily that bad.

The one in the second period was a different story as Fiala would be called for cross-checking. Head coach Jim Hiller had decided he saw enough and benched Fiala for the remainder of the game.

It seemed like that was the extent of it as Hiller said earlier on Tuesday that Akil Thomas would be playing but would replace Trevor Lewis in the lineup. The fact that Fiala missed the meeting seemingly changed those plans and Lewis is playing as well as Thomas.

This is something that will need to be addressed and hopefully won't be a long-term issue as Fiala is one of the top forwards on this roster. If the Kings want to remain atop the Pacific Division, they are going to need Kevin Fiala on the ice.