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    Austin Stanovich
    Jan 20, 2024, 20:58

    The Los Angeles Kings have had a rough go of things recently, having lost 10 of their last 11 games and they'll face an emotional night on Saturday as Jonathan Quick returns to Los Angeles.

    The all-time franchise leader in wins, games played and shutouts has never started a game against the Kings in LA and will now have that chance.

    It will be an emotional return for the players and fans on Saturday given the nature of Quick's departure.

    In the eyes of many, Quick was ruthlessly dealt at last season's trade deadline and was not given a proper send off by the organization.

    Tonight should give everyone a little more closure for Quick's Kings career.

    Of course, the emotion will take a backseat for Quick, who will have one goal in mind, a revenge shutout.

    Given his resurgence in New York and the Kings' offensive struggles recently, that isn't out of the realm of possibility either.

    On the other side, Drew Doughty will be licking his chops at the opportunity to score a goal on his good friend and former teammate.

    Talking a further step back, this is a very important game for the Kings who need to get back in the win column regularly.

    They're in a complete tailspin, raising questions about head coach Todd McLellan's future.

    In an attempt to fix things, McLellan made some rather drastic changes and the end Thursday's game that appear to be carrying over.

    Pierre-Luc Dubois has moved onto the first line as a winger and Quinton Byfield is now the team's third-line center.

    This is a big move given the reasoning behind bringing in Dubois was to add center depth this summer. However, objective number one is now getting him playing good hockey.

    I discussed this move on Friday and support it, now lets see if it works in practice, not just theory.

    Los Angeles Kings Projected Lines:

    Forwards:

    Pierre-Luc Dubois - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe

    Kevin Fiala - Phil Danault - Trevor Moore

    Alex Laferriere - Quinton Byfield - Jaret Anderson-Dolan

    Carl Grundstrom - Trevor Lewis - Arthur Kaliyev

    Defense:

    Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty

    Vladislav Gavrikov - Matt Roy

    Andreas Englund - Brandt Clarke

    Goalies:

    Cam Talbot

    David Rittich

    Projected New York Rangers Lines:

    Forwards:

    Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Kaapo Kakko

    Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere

    Will Cuylle - Jonny Brodzinski - Blake Wheeler

    Barclay Goodrow - Nick Bonino - Jimmy Vesey

    Defense:

    Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox

    K'Andre Miller - Jacob Trouba

    Zac Jones - Braden Schneider

    Goalies:

    Jonathan Quick

    Igor Shesterkin