Lineup changes have been a primary storyline for head coach Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings in this two-game homestand this weekend for the team. At practice on Saturday and Sunday, it looks like Hiller and the Kings made some lineup adjustments to the forward lines in team drills and the team skate.
Jim Hiller and the Los Angeles Kings looking for more forward lineup shake ups in practice this fall with center Sammy Helenius this weekend
It looks like the Kings are going to make more changes to the fourth-line forward group and the rest of the top-nine core group early next week at home. Center Sammy Helenius is likely going to return to the active forward lines group for Hiller and the Kings this fall.
Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider reported on Nov. 23 that Helenius was practicing with the third and fourth-line forward groups during the odd-man rushes in team drills this weekend. He practiced with wingers Corey Perry, Alex Laferriere, and Warren Foegele in odd-man rushes and team drills this weekend for the Kings' forward lines.
Helenius made his regular season debut for the Kings this fall in mid-October this past month against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-2 loss on home ice at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 16. He registered one faceoff win, a blocked shot, and three hits in just over eight minutes in time on the ice for Hiller and the Kings in the two-goal loss to Pittsburgh at home last month in October.
Here's a look at the projected forward lines group for Hiller and the Kings this upcoming week on Monday in the second game in a short two-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 24.
Kevin Fiala – Quinton Byfield – Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore – Anze Kopitar – Andrei Kuzmenko
Joel Armia – Phillip Danault – Alex Laferriere
Warren Foegele – Sammy Helenius – Corey Perry
The Kings take on the Senators from Ottawa at home at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. PT.