The Los Angeles Kings were certainly shorthanded yesterday, with Anze Kopitar’s illness putting him right next to Tyler Toffoli and Jonathan Quick in the “out” column. Less expected: defenseman Brayden McNabb joined them. McNabb’s last healthy scratch was on Opening Night of 2015-16, after which he played all 81 games of the regular season. The Kings have allowed only four goals in McNabb’s 246 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, or less than one goal per 60 minutes… defense isn’t the problem with #3. Rather, it’s the fact that just about nothing has happened with him on the ice since his return from injury.
Aside from throwing six shots on goal against the Wings, it’s been real, real quiet. Then again: Kevin Gravel has 13 shots and no points in his last dozen games, and Matt Greene has 10 shots and no points in his last 19 games. I guess it’s more that you don’t expect the spark from those two, and you want to see more of it from Nabber.
HIGHLIGHTS TO WATCH
KINGS WATCH
- Any article that’s headlined with “_______ shares details of his illness” isn’t one I want to read, but Anze Kopitar is important. [LA Kings Insider]
- Willie O’Ree was honored prior to yesterday’s game. He’s still doing great work in the community. [NHL]
- Good dog. [SB Nation]/
LEAGUE/WORLDWIDE WATCH
- The New York Islanders fired coach Jack Capuano today. [Lighthouse Hockey]
- Jujhar Khaira scored his first NHL goal for the Edmonton Oilers, becoming the third player of Indo-Canadian descent to score in the NHL. Very cool. [Copper ‘n Blue]
- Justin Williams has eight goals and 14 points in his last dozen games, and though his continued offensive excellence got overshadowed last night, he’s thriving again… and still getting in opponents’ heads./
Justin Williams waving goodbye to the Flyers pic.twitter.com/UWYMc0lwzc
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) January 15, 2017
WATCH THIS
Fifteen, count ‘em, fifteen goals.