The Columbus Blue Jackets wrap up their western road trips with a back to back series in California stretching through tonight and tomorrow. First on the sheet is the resurgence of the Los Angeles Kings, who have gotten themselves back into playoff contention after firing their head coach during the All Star break.
A struggling Pierre Luc-Dubois in year one of a $70M contract with a team worst -16 may be a reason, but the veteran trio of Copley/Rittich/Talbot may also factor. The secondary scoring has not been stellar. But they are very close to being back to their winning ways in the early 2010s.
The Kings will be alright after this, but if they are in the hunt for Jusse Saros or John Gibson, watch out!
Columbus is riding the excitement of the Shoe and a win over San Jose, their first after the dismissal of Kekalainen last week. Vincent has benched Bemstrom for Olivier. Danforth was bumped up to the third line. Merzlikins goes.
Projected Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
Kevin Fiala -- Anze Kopitar -- Adrian Kempe Trevor Moore -- Phillip Danault --Viktor Arvidsson Alex Laferriere -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Quinton Byfield Jaret Anderson-Dolan -- Alex Turcotte -- Trevor Lewis Mikey Anderson -- Drew Doughty Vladislav Gavrikov -- Matt Roy Andreas Englund -- Brandt Clarke Cam Talbot David Rittich Scratched: Jordan Spence, Arthur Kaliyev Injured: Carl Grundstrom (lower body), Blake Lizotte (lower body)
Columbus Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau -- Boone Jenner -- Jack Roslovic Yegor Chinakhov -- Dmitri Voronkov -- Kirill Marchenko Kent Johnson -- Cole Sillinger -- Justin Danforth Alexandre Texier -- Sean Kuraly -- Mathieu Olivier Zach Werenski -- Adam Boqvist Ivan Provorov -- Damon Severson Jake Bean -- Erik Gudbranson Elvis Merzlikins Daniil Tarasov Scratched: Andrew Peeke, Emil Bemstrom Injured: Adam Fantilli (calf), Patrik Laine (upper body)
Players to Watch
Los Angeles - Quinton Byfield - he is on the cusp. 40 points in 51 games for the highest drafted African Canadian in league history. Breakout year continues
Columbus - Johnny Gaudreau - 7 apples in his last 7 games. The heater continues.
Predicted Final Score
LA - 4
CBJ - 3