The Los Angeles Kings took one step closer to securing home ice on Saturday while finding out officially who they will be playing in the first round of the NHL Playoffs. While it will be the fourth straight meeting with the Edmonton Oilers, this series has a different feel about it going into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Kings saw two of their top goalie prospects have excellent days this weekend. This is some of the top news and notes for the Los Angeles Kings.
Mattias Ekholm unlikely to play against the LA Kings in the playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers have been dealing with more than their fair share of injuries in the closing weeks of the regular season but appeared like they were getting healthy at the right time as players like Connor McDavid were returning.
Unfortunately, the injury bug bit them again, and this time in the form of Mattias Ekholm. According to Ryan Rishaug with TSN Ekholm suffered an injury against the San Jose Sharks that at worst could be season-ending and at best will get him to return if the Oilers make a deep playoff run.
In either scenario, it appears that the LA Kings will not have to play Ekholm and the Oilers are going to be without one of their key defensemen. This season he has averaged over 21 minutes of ice time per game the past two seasons with nine goals and 24 assists.