Browsing: Kings preview
The Kings won the five-on-five battle against Buffalo and still lost. With the NHL’s worst penalty kill and a 5-for-30 power play, they host Macklin Celebrini’s Sharks on Wednesday.
Brandt Clarke is projected on the top pair after practicing Friday, Hayden Hodgson was suspended two games for boarding, and Buffalo arrives off Tage Thompson’s hat trick in a 7-6 win at Anaheim.
The Kings have scored once in each of their three home losses. Ottawa arrives without Linus Ullmark, and Drew Doughty and Corey Perry are day-to-day.
The 2-5-2 Kings visit a Rangers team perfect at home but leaky lately. Peter Laviolette wants offense beyond the top line, and Quinton Byfield is back practicing in a non-contact jersey.
The Kings (2-4-2) visit the Devils (6-4-0) at 12:30 p.m. PT. Quinton Byfield is questionable, and New Jersey’s new goalie Connor Hellebuyck is not expected to play.
Game day in Washington: the 0-4-2 Kings face a Capitals team that is 4-1 at home. Practice lines, Quinton Byfield’s plan, the goalie question and the penalty-kill problem.