Good morning, Kings fans! It’s game day in Anaheim, the final regular-season tuneup before Los Angeles learns their first round opponent in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Kings are likely to take the ice at the Honda Center without Gabe Vilardi and Kevin Fiala, who are both working their way back from their respective injuries.
Head coach Todd McLellan is hoping to have both of them back before Game 1.
“I don’t know when Game 1 is going to be, so we’re hoping that they’re both going to be out there, obviously we have our fingers crossed,” McLellan said of the two. “I don’t know when game one is going to start, I don’t know if they need extra days or if they’re going to be good to go. That’s just where we’re at.”
If Los Angeles wins in Anaheim in any shape or form or loses in overtime/shootout, it’s irrelevant what Seattle does tonight in their second leg of a back-to-back with Vegas. The Kings would get a rematch against the Oilers in the first round.
However, if Seattle wins and the Kings fall in regulation, LA would get the top seed in the Central, which is currently occupied by Dallas as the Stars and Avalanche battle for first place.
Which scenario do you prefer?
Kings Things
- ICYMI: Despite giving up three quick goals to Coachella Valley on Wednesday, the Reign made a valiant comeback effort but fell 3-2 [Recap]
- ICYMI: The Kings and Coyotes will play a pair of 2023 preseason games in Australia [Here]
- Goldman: Mikey Anderson pegged as one of the eight players poised to breakout in the playoffs [Athletic]
- Alex Laferriere could potentially make his NHL debut in tonight’s regular season finale. He was skating with the top-six forwards in practice on Wednesday [LA Kings Insider]
Elsewhere in the World
- For the first time in 16 seasons, the Stanley Cup Playoffs will not feature the Pittsburgh Penguins [NHL.com]
- After a landscape-changing trade from Chicago, Patrick Kane is starting to settle in with the New York Rangers [Athletic]
- Defenseman Mike Benning is the latest Denver Pioneer to sign an entry-level contract with his respective team. Benning led all defensemen in goals scored over the past three NCAA seasons [Daily Faceoff]
- Caroline Harvey looks like the next big thing for USA Women’s Hockey [Daily Faceoff]
- Former Dallas Stars forward Raymond Sawada suffered a fatal heart attack while playing hockey on Monday. He was only 38. [ESPN]
- The Avalanche appear to be getting closer to fielding a full roster with Josh Manson and Artturi Lehkonen likely due back soon. The big question still remains: when will Gabe Landeskog be ready? [Colorado Hockey Now]
On the Schedule
There are 15 games on the schedule for Thursday. Obviously, we’ll be checking out the Kings/Ducks, but there are a number of good matchups to keep tabs on.
- Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers, 7 EST/4 PST on TVAS, BSFL, BSSO
- Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers, 7 EST/4 PST on MSG, TSN4
- Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche, 8 EST/8 PST on ALT, TSN3
- Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim Ducks, 10 EST/7 PST on TVAS, BSSC, BSW
- Vegas Golden Knights at Seattle Kraken, 10:30 EST/7:30 PST on ESPN