HOW TO WATCH
Game Time: 7:00 PM Pacific
TV: NHL Network, Prime Ticket
Radio: iHeart Radio
The Opposition: Anaheim Calling
WHO AND WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- No word on concrete lineups for either team tonight, but look for this one to be a relatively young roster for the Kings. Nearly all the star veteran players are sitting this one out. Dion Phaneuf is the most experienced defenseman. Tanner Pearson, Nate Thompson, and Kyle Clifford are the elder statesmen for the forward corps. To fill out their roster, the Kings recalled four players previously assigned to Ontario: Sheldon Rempal, Drake Rymsha, Boko Imama, and Matt Luff will all be on hand this evening.
- If Imama and/or Kurtis MacDermid (or both) don’t get into fights tonight, I’m going to be very surprised.
- Tonight’s an important game for the handful of players on the bubble. At forward, Emerson Etem is still hanging around on his PTO and seems to have a fair shot to earn a contract. Austin Wagner remains on the roster, which is somewhat of a surprise given his lackluster first pro year, but he has speed that has the front office intrigued. And surprising due only to his age is Jaret Anderson-Dolan, who’s done everything asked of him and more in camp this year. With many of the big names staying home today, this will be an important game for JAD (which, apparently, Mike Stothers pronounces phonetically) to give the Kings more reasons to keep him around for the opening night roster.
- The fight for a spot on the defense is possibly even more intriguing than at forward. Derek Forbort is progressing and the team hopes to get him in a game this week, but no guarantees. Paul LaDue, largely expected to step onto the team this year, was out of the lineup in Utah, the most NHL-ready roster the Kings have iced yet. These last few games will be crucial for the LaDue/Brickley/Fantenberg contingent to sort out who stays up with the team and who starts in Ontario.
- Jack Campbell probably gets the start tonight.
- The Ducks are icing a more well-rounded line-up but there is this bit of news:/
Corey Perry will be lost for an expected five months after undergoing surgery to repair meniscus and MCL in right knee. Knee, which had prior issues, popped during warm-up. GM Bob Murray said the hope is that he’ll return by trade deadline.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) September 26, 2018
- Goodbye, Corey Perry; hello, Troy Terry. The college stand-out got into two NHL games last season when he turned pro, and was generally expected to start the season with the San Diego Gulls. But a good pre-season, coupled with, well, an immediate need could thrust Terry into the NHL full-time. /
LINEUPS
#NHLDucks lineup/possible lines. Ryan Kesler is skating but it’s just a light workout. No contact. pic.twitter.com/VE1bpLrR2N
— Elliott Teaford (@ElliottTeaford) September 26, 2018
This Has Nothing To Do With The Game But Look At It Anyway
🍩 Surprise Donuts! 🍩@JustinWilliams stopped by our offices to provide staff with a Wednesday morning treat. pic.twitter.com/o6SPJunUZW
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) September 26, 2018