The LA Kings have already locked up a spot in the NHL Playoffs and home ice in the first round is well within reach with four games left and the Kings magic number at six. The focus at this point of the regular season has been trying to get the team as healthy as possible as much as it has been securing home ice.
Over the past few weeks, the Kings have been without Alex Turcotte, Tanner Jeannot, Drew Doughty and Joel Edmundson at different points. Turcotte has been out the longest as his last game was on March 23rd against the Boston Bruins. However, he is set to return today against the Colorado Avalanche.
As for Doughty and Edmundson, it appears that the Kings and the players are trying to just manage the wear and tear of a long season. If the playoffs were to start today, both probably would be available.
The news isn't as good for Tanner Jeannot who left the game against the New York Rangers on March 25th. He is viewed as week-to-week and has yet to return to practice since suffering the injury. Prior to the game against Colorado, head coach Jim Hiller said he is "not optimistic" about Jeannot's availability for Game 1 of the playoffs, which starts one week from today.
GameDay #LosAngeles
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) April 12, 2025
Turcotte in, Doughty Edmundson out.
Hiller clarified that he is not optimistic Jeannot will be available for Game 1. pic.twitter.com/lu2xgLeypc
Good news for LA Kings is that they have found a solid replacement for Tanner Jeannot
The timing for Tanner Jeannot's injury came at probably the worst time for the player as Jeannot was playing some of his best hockey all season. He had seven goals and six assists all season but two goals and two assists in the two games before the Rangers game.
After the injury, the Kings called up Jeff Malott from the Ontario Reign who has appeared in the last eight games. He may not have any points but has done a good job being physical on the forecheck and playing a similar role to what Jeannot had for a majority of the season.
However, if Jeannot is not able to play at the start of the playoffs it will be interesting to see if Hiller goes with the inexperienced Malott or the veteran Trevor Lewis. My guess would be Hiller leans into the experience but there is still four games left for Malott to make his case.