The Los Angeles Kings have their final game before the holiday break on Saturday, as they welcome the Calgary Flames into Los Angeles.
The Kings had an encouraging sign on Friday as Vladislav Gavrikov rejoined the group for practice, however, Todd McLellan made it clear he was questionable for tonight's game.
At morning skate, McLellan confirmed that Gavrikov was not ready to play and he would be given the Christmas break to recover fully.
In other injury-related news, the Kings broadcast will be without Nick Nickson tonight, who's suffering from an illness per Kings PR.
In place of Nickson will be Ontario Reign play-by-play announcer Josh Schaefer. Schaefer is making his NHL television debut on Saturday, after spending two years calling games for the Reign.
Schaefer has also called select preseason and regular season games on the radio for the Kings.
Cam Talbot is expected in net for the Kings.
Calgary comes into town on a three-game winning streak, as they look to climb back into the playoff picture this season.
Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:
Forwards:
Quinton Byfield - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala - Phil Danault - Trevor Moore
Arthur Kaliyev - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Alex Laferriere
Carl Grundstrom - Blake Lizotte - Trevor Lewis
Defense:
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Jacob Moverare - Matt Roy
Andreas Englund - Jordan Spence
Goalies:
Cam Talbot
David Rittich
Projected Calgary Flames Lines:
Forwards:
Andrew Mangiapane - Elias Lindholm - Yegor Sharangovich
Jonathan Huberdeau - Mikael Backlund - Blake Coleman
Connor Zary - Nazem Kadri - Martin Pospisil
A.J. Greer - Adam Ruzicka - Dillon Dube
Defence:
MacKenzie Weegar-Rasmus Andersson
Noah Hanifin-Chris Tanev
Dennis Gilbert-Nick DeSimone
Extra: Jordan Oesterle
Goalies:
Jacob Markstrom
Dan Vladar