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Game Day #28: Kings @ Sabres

Los Angeles Kings v Buffalo Sabres (First Niagara Center)

Time: 4.30 PM

TV: Fox Sports West, NBC Sports Network

Kings projected lineup:

Gaborik – Kopitar – Williams
Pearson – Carter – Toffoli

Brown – Stoll – Lewis

King – Richards – Nolan

Doughty – Muzzin

Regehr – Martinez

McNabb – Greene

Quick

Injured: Clifford (flu); Suspended: Voynov

Sabres projected lineup:

Moulson – Girgensons – Ennis
Flynn – Mitchell – Gionta
Foligno – Hodgson – Stafford
Deslauriers – McCormick – Kaleta

Gorges – Myers
Zadorov – Ristolainen
Weber – Benoit

Enroth

Injured: Meszaros (concussion), Strachan (??)

Game notes:

  • Oh hey, it’s me again. Don’t lie, you missed me. I couldn’t help it – I got too excited for this abnormally early game against a bottom-dwelling Eastern team and just had to get back into preview writing.
  • The Kings kick off their road trip with their second game this season against the hapless Sabres. You may not remember the details, since the game occurred immediately in the wake of Slava Voynov’s indefinite suspension for off-ice conduct, but the Kings won 2-0. Jonathan Quick’s shutout that night pushed him ahead of Rogie Vachon for the franchise lead, and it was the night of Jake Muzzin’s return from his early season injury.
  • This is a return to Buffalo for Robyn Regehr, Jamie McBain (who is scratched tonight, we hope) and Brayden McNabb, all of whom I would joyfully leave on the side of the road in Buffalo. (Just kidding.) (But only a little bit and only about McNabb.)
  • The Kings lineup is looking a little more familiar – and frankly, better – with the return of healthy Marian Gaborik, the reunion of our favourite possession-driving top line, and the second line which shall not be named. Although Kyle Clifford is apparently feeling better, he won’t be playing tonight, unfortunately necessitating the continued presence of Jordan Nolan in the lineup. Of course, Darryl Sutter also indicated that he would not hesitate a second to split up the lines on the fly as the game progresses. So enjoy the once-again-inexplicable late-game benching of Tyler Toffoli, everybody!
  • There’s not much to say about the Sabres. They’re really bad. They do not have a legitimate first line or a legitimate first defensive pairing or a legitimate starting goalie. They would be tanking to draft Connor McDavid but given the team they’re icing, I don’t think they even need to.
  • Prediction: Kings win 3-0; Tyler Toffoli nets a hat trick and skates by the bench shouting “HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW, DARRYL”.

Talking Points