HOW TO WATCH
Game Time: 6:00 PM Pacific
TV: Fox Sports West, Fox Sports Arizona
Radio: KABC AM 790
Stream: Fox Sports Go (requires cable subscription)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
if you’re a Kings fan: Will it be Peter Budaj or Jeff Zatkoff tonight? It looks like it’s going to be Budaj, so it’s bad news for the guy who was supposed to back up Quick.
Darryl didn’t say outright that Budaj would start, but appeared to indicate it: “I think our schedule sets up for one goalie.”
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) December 1, 2016
We thought a bad game for Budaj might crack the door for Jeff. Either way, LA needs better goaltending than they got yesterday.
if you’re a Coyotes fan: Mike Smith has been keeping the Coyotes in games. Arizona went 6-5-2 last month, despite scoring just 25 goals total. I don’t know if it’s good or bad that he gets LA tonight, but at least he has fun with them!
if you’re a hockey fan: I thought yesterday’s game would be competitive, and it wasn’t all that great. Today, everyone thinks this game will be rather boring. So who’s to say we won’t be wrong again?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
for the Kings: Marian Gaborik. Yes, we just used him as Player to Watch against Chicago, but he was probably the best player for the Kings last night. He’s picked up two points in each of the last three seasons against Arizona.
for the Coyotes: Radim Vrbata. Remember when Arizona signed him for a $1 million cap hit? He’s got 15 points in 21 games for the Coyotes. Sure, he’s got another $2.25 million in performance bonuses to try and earn, but he’s been quite the bargain. He had four points in five games against the Kings in 2014-15, but was shut out in four games vs. LA last season.
LEAGUE/WORLDWIDE WATCH
- Brian Burke is against a 3-2-1 points system. (Based on this season, I am too, but only because of all the overtime wins.) Pierre LeBrun is in fabor. [ESPN]
- Who should win the Calder? As much as I’d like to see it go to Zach Werenski, last year’s Cup-winning goalie could spoil it for everyone by somehow being eligible. [SB Nation]
- LA draft picks Kale Clague and Austin Wagner have made Hockey Canada’s selection camp roster for the 2017 World Junior Championship. [Ottawa Citizen]
- Oh, and Jacob Moverare is on Sweden’s preliminary roster!/
Featuring #LAKings draftee Jacob Moverare, whose nickname is — I kid you not — The Swedish Fish. https://t.co/RE5Ule2Ozf
— Jewels frm the Crown (@JFTC_Kings) December 1, 2016
WATCH THIS
There’s a free game on NHL.com tonight! Islanders-Caps at 4 PM. Should be decent.