The Kings are set to face off tonight against the Detroit Red Wings for the first time this season. The Kings did not fare well against the Red Wings last season, going 0-1-1. LA has been an inconsistent 5-4-1 in their last ten games, while the Wings have had a similar record (4-5-1).
The Kings have had to adjust recently due to injury woes, including their starting goaltender. In a surprising move, top goaltender prospect Erik Portillo was called up in the aftermath of the Darcy Kuemper injury. He is unlikely to get the nod immediately, but the Kings will finally get a respite in their travel-heavy start to the season with three games in eight days.
LA also adjusted their powerplay units with Brandt Clarke (six powerplay points) moving down to the second unit to run point, while the top unit overloads with five forwards. Quinton Byfield will get elevated to the top unit to become the net front presence. Their new-look powerplay will get the opportunity to face a struggling Red Wings penalty kill (66.7%, 30th).
The Wings have notable forwards who have fared well against the Kings in their careers. Patrick Kane has collected 16 goals, 29 assists, and 45 points in 49 contests. Kane was reunited with former Chicago Blackhawk teammate Alex Debrincat to form a dynamic duo. Debrincat has four goals and six assists in 15 contests against LA.
Former Florida Panther and Stanley Cup champion Vladimir Tarasenko joined the Red Wings in the off-season and has also fared well against the Kings in his career. In 29 career games, Tarasenko has 12 goals, 14 assists, and is a +5.
Captain Anze Kopitar, who has 19 goals and 31 assists in 45 contests against the Red Wings, will look to lead the Kings offense against. He has registered five assists in the last three games but has yet to find the back of the net off his stick. He recently was joined on the top line by Trevor Moore, who has provided a spark. In 21:07 TOI together, they've had an outstanding 59.57 Corsi % while getting sawed off on shots 11-11).
Tanner Jeannot will be coming off his three-game suspension for his open-ice hit to Brock Boeser. He is expected to play tonight.
Jim Hiller didn't rule out an Alex Turcotte return tonight, though he would need to be activated off of injured reserve. Per LA Kings Insider, Hiller was leaning toward him not playing.
Due to the injury on the backend to Caleb Jones, Jacob Moverare was called up and is expected back in the lineup. In 45 career games, Moverare has one goal, two assists, and is a +2.
Here's how the Kings lined up at their practice yesterday:
Turcotte – Kopitar – Kempe – Moore
Foegele – Byfield – Laferriere
Fiala – Danault – Thomas
Jeannot – Lee – Helenius – Lewis
Anderson – Gavrikov
Edmundson – Clarke
Moverare – Spence
Englund – Burroughs
Rittich / Portillo
Here's how the Red Wings are expected to lineup:
Kings and Red Wings, 5 pm PST at Crypto.com Arena.