Kings-Canadiens: Afternoon Preview

Since we last met the Montreal Canadiens...

IN: Eric Cole, Michael Blunden, Brian "Superman" Willsie, Jeff Woywitka, Peter Budaj, Alexei Yemelin

OUT: Roman Hamrlik, Alex Auld, Jeff Halpern, Benoit Pouliot, Alexandre Picard, James Wisniewski, Curtis Sanford, Tom Pyatt

INJURED: Key defenseman Andrei Markov (knee), Scott Gomez (groin) Jaroslav Spacek (upper body), Chris Campoli (leg) Andreas Engqvist (lower body), Ryan White (hernia)

Still suspended: Max Pacioretty

Probable lineup:

Kostitsyn-Plekanec-Gionta
Cammalleri-Desharnais-Cole
Moen-Eller-Leblanc
Darche-Nokelainen-Palushaj

Gorges-Subban
Gill-(Weber or Diaz)
Emelin-St. Denis

In net: Carey Price

Further Reading: Habs Eyes On The Prize

Kings Bogglematic Lineup:

Brown-Kopitar-Gagne
Penner-Stoll-Williams
Richardson-Loktionov-(Hunter or Westgarth)
Clifford-Fraser-Moreau

Doughty-Scuderi
Johnson-Voynov
Greene-Drewiske

Jonathan Bernier

Game outlook: Though they have struggled at times this season, the Canadiens are an excellent possession team. Factor in the loss of Mitchell and Richards, the apparent voodoo hex the dark mages of Montreal have placed over this team, and the dreaded afternoon start, and this looks like a stiff challenge.

I'll just go get Gandalf.