Los Angeles Kings v Carolina Hurricanes (PNC Arena)
Time: 2.00 PM
TV: Fox Sports West
Kings projected lineup:
Brown – Kopitar – Williams
Pearson – Carter – Toffoli
Clifford – Stoll -Lewis
Pearson – Carter – Toffoli
Clifford – Stoll -Lewis
King – Richards – Andreoff
Doughty – Muzzin
Regehr – Martinez
McNabb – Greene
Quick
Injured: Gaborik (??); Suspended: Voynov, Nolan
Hurricanes projected lineup:
Tlusty – E Staal – Skinner
Gerbe – Nash – Lindholm
Malone – McClement – Dwyer
Boychuk – Rask – Terry
Gerbe – Nash – Lindholm
Malone – McClement – Dwyer
Boychuk – Rask – Terry
Sekera – Faulk
Hainsey – Bellemore
Gleason – Harrison
Hainsey – Bellemore
Gleason – Harrison
Ward
Injured: J Staal (leg); Scratched: Semin, Liles
Enemy reading: Canes Country
Game notes:
- The only thing I know about the Hurricanes is that they won their very first game of the season last night, beating the visiting Arizona Coyotes 3-0 on the strength of good goaltending and a nice little game from their young winger Elias Lindholm. I am beginning to doubt your commitment to
sparkle motionConnor McDavid, Hurricanes. - Actually, I lied. I know some stuff about the Hurricanes. After a raft of injuries to start the season, the only key player they’re now missing is Jordan Staal, and he won’t be back soon after suffering a broken leg. The Hurricanes improved their defence in the off-season with the addition of the under-appreciated Andrej Sekera, but that Gleason – Harrison pairing is going to be (if it hasn’t already been) a total nightmare.
- $7 million man Alexander Semin was a surprise scratch during the game against the Coyotes, and the indications I’ve seen are that he will remain in the pressbox against the Kings. I say “surprise”, of course, when I really mean “tremendously stupid”. I don’t care how much anybody thinks Alexander Semin isn’t trying – Semin not trying is still a much better hockey player than whatever the fuck is going on with the Hurricanes’ bottom six.
- The Kings, as I’m sure you’ve all noticed, remain winless on this eastern roadtrip, but who even cares because Anze Kopitar is back tonight! This is the first good news for the Kings from the past few grim weeks (sorry Trevor Lewis, but nobody cares) and even if this isn’t the start of an immediate turnaround in the Kings’ form, it’s obviously a huge relief to have Kopitar back.
- Marian Gaborik is apparently also close to making his return, and skated with the top line in practice. Although no firm date is set, it looks like the Kings’ dangerous top line might be reunited very soon.
- Speaking of dangerous, Jordan Nolan was suspended two games for his little boarding adventure on Friday night. I didn’t see the hit, so I’m not going to pontificate as to whether I think the suspension was warranted, but the Kings are better without Nolan in the lineup anyway, so more power to the DoPS.
- I’m really sick of Sunday afternoon games, for real.
- Prediction: Kings win, because somebody has to.