This is the second of three meetings between Los Angeles and Edmonton this season. On January 24, the Oilers defeated the Kings 2-1 in overtime at Rexall Place. After tonight, the two teams will meet at Staples Center on Saturday, April 6.
Lots more after the jump…
Edmonton has won two of three after going winless in a 0-2-3 stretch. The only current playoff teams the Oilers have defeated this season are Vancouver and Phoenix. In their most recent outing, they took a team-record 56 shots on goal and erased a 3-0 deficit – and a 4-3 deficit after two – with three third period goals to defeat Colorado 6-4. Taylor Hall had three assists and took eight shots in the game, while Jordan Eberle took seven. Nikholai Khabibulin replaced Devan Dubnyk in goal for the start of the second period and stopped 16 of 17 shots for the victory.
The 40-year old Khabibulin will draw the start tonight and is 20-12-1 lifetime against Los Angeles with one tie. He has posted a 2.45 goals against average and .913 save percentage in his career against the Kings. In his last outing against L.A., he stopped 28 of 32 shots in a 4-1 Kings victory at Rexall Place on March 30, 2012.
Los Angeles is expected to go with Jonathan Quick in net. Quick is 7-1-4 lifetime against Edmonton with a 1.63 GAA and .938 Sv%. In his outing at Rexall Place on January 24, Quick stopped 37 of 39 shots through 63 minutes before he was beaten on Sam Gagner’s game-winner.
Tuesday’s game is the third game of a season-long five-game homestand for the Oilers, who are 1-1-0 in the stretch thus far. Tonight marks Los Angeles’ first game following six consecutive games against the Central Division, a stretch in which they went 3-3-0. L.A. is 1-1-1 against the Northwest Division thus far, defeating Vancouver, losing in regulation to Colorado and losing in overtime to Edmonton.
Rankings and Statistics:
Goals/Game: LAK – 27 / 2.23; EDM – 24 / 2.43
Goals Against/Game: LAK – t-16 / 2.69; EDM – 15 / 2.64
Power Play: LAK – 24 / 15.0%; EDM – 7 / 23.9%
Penalty Kill: LAK – 18 / 81.0%; EDM – 4 / 86.8%
Shots/Game: LAK – t-14 / 29.2; EDM – t-16 / 29.0
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 2 / 24.9; EDM – 29 / 33.3
Faceoffs: LAK – 22 / 48.8%; EDM – 28 / 45.9%
Projected Lines – Los Angeles
Kyle Clifford – Anze Kopitar – Dustin Brown
Dwight King – Mike Richards – Jeff Carter
Dustin Penner – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Jordan Nolan – Colin Fraser– Trevor Lewis
Keaton Ellerby – Drew Doughty
Rob Scuderi – Slava Voynov
Jake Muzzin – Davis Drewiske
Jonathan Quick
Jonathan Bernier
Notes: Significant changes in the Kings’ lineup have occurred for the second time in two and a half weeks, with the largest adjustment being Kyle Clifford slotted alongside Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown on the club’s top line. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter are interchangeable on the second line; expect Carter (53.5% on faceoffs; right shot) to step in for Richards (45.3%; left shot) occasionally, as both are more comfortable going with a forehand on their strong sides. On the fourth line, Colin Fraser could slot to the left wing to allow Trevor Lewis to step in at center, though I’m projecting Fraser, who hasn’t played since the loss in Nashville on February 7, to see the majority of the time at center. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Projected Lines – Edmonton
Taylor Hall – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Jordan Eberle
Teemu Hartikainen – Sam Gagner – Ales Hemsky
Ryan Smyth – Eric Belanger – Nail Yakupov
Ben Eager – Chris VandeVelde – Magnus Paajarvi
Nick Schultz – Justin Schultz
Ryan Whitney – Jeff Petry
Ladislav Smid – Mark Fistric
Nikolai Khabibulin
Devan Dubnyk
Notes: Nail Yakupov also operates a point on the Oilers’ top power play unit. Edmonton’s special teams are strong, with the power play ranking seventh in the league and the penalty kill ranking fourth. As always, line pairings are educated assessments and not definite alignments.
Go Kings Go! Bury these kids early!
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Lucky for the Kings that Dubnyk is not playing. That guy always plays over his head against the Kings. What I cant understand, is why in the hell wouldnt the Oilers keep putting him in until The Kings prove they can beat him consistently?
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jess Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@puck73,
Maybe they don’t view the kings as an offensive powerhouse?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
@jest, Surely you jest!
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jess Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
@Duncanz,
Kings making a comeback when down a goal is like watching an aircraft carrier trying to make a U turn in the Panama Canal.
USHA#17 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
@puck73,
The Kings the third worst team in hockey. Why should the Oilers worry?
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
@USHA#17,
Looks worse than it really is. 6 points(3 Wins)from being in the top ten. 2 games in hand.
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trytodethroneus Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
@puck73,
Kinda like when Bernier didn’t play against nashville in
either or both games this season?
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vplaza Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
@puck73,
Kings make every goaltender they face look like a Vezina candidate.
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bbb7 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
@vplaza, Absolutely. Even if he’s playing his first NHL game and couldnt sleep the prior night, he’s guaranteed to shine against us.
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So who deserves to be GOALIE? Cast your ballots now
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jess Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
@Debra Turull,
We need’em both. I’m sure if Bernier comes up big then in a few more and Quick struggles some more, JB will get more starts.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@Debra Turull,
@Adam M.
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Oh, boy … we really are in a big trouble, aren’t we?
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Hope our captain comes out and starts taking the body tonight.
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“Mr Voynov, tear down this ‘Wall’ !!
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linny Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
@Duncanz, let’s hope he does so we can chant “where is da wall”, or “where is Wall-do?” Or should it be “Wall-DOH?” ( ok Duncanz, I know its weak but I’m just starting)
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xeropoint Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
@Duncanz, Well….Perhaps we can see some trickle down scoring.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
@xeropoint, If the Kings score goals, I don’t care if its trickled on scoring.
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JonRosen Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@Duncanz, I may steal this tonight (via Twitter). Will give credit.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:27 pm
@linny, That was a veritable Wall-do’rf salad you tossed!
Good point, @xeropoint!
@Jon, Phew… The relief of it not being a final warning of exile to the cornfield when I saw your name is enough for me!
(can we share the royalties if Leno or Bobby Scribe want it?)
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linny Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
@Duncanz, even if I could conjure up Shakespeare, E A Poe n Mark Twain for assistance there’s no way anyone could best ur ‘walldorf’ pun. I bow n Neil to u good sir!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
@linny, Arrgghhh, no neiling!
Dustin Brown Hit Counts:
2013 Season, 13 Games, 28 Hits, 2.15 Hits per game.
2011/2012 Season, 82 Games, 293 Hits, 3.57 Hits per game.
Captain Crunch is down -1.42 his per game so far this season. Maybe playing on all that open ice overseas with no hitting has slowed him down a bit. I am willing to be his hit numbers improve as the season moves on.
Come on Brownie, wack an Oiler or 2 for us tonight!!!
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fsd1 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
@King Alex, so he is short just about 1.4 hits a game, if that is what makes a difference in this team then we are in big trouble.
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King Alex Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
@fsd1, Just trying to shed some light on all the Brown naysayers saying he his not hitting. Although 1 big hit (Sedin & Rozival) can sure change a game!
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trytodethroneus Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@fsd1,
It’s more about the domino effect it would
create for the other players
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tornado12 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
@fsd1, its not the number of hits, it the size of the hits! ill take 1 big hit over 3 small ones any day (go ahead and fire away at that one all you comedians out there- im looking at you Duncanz)
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
@tornado12,
I think @Duncanz is taking a big one right now.
Duncanz Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
“Your DJ, @tornado! Spinning the hits since twenty 12!”
PP Anybody? Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
@fsd1, bottom line is, Brown isn’t playing up to his usual self. His game is at its best when he is going out and wrecking a few people. He hasn’t had a single game like that so far, for whatever reason. It’s one of those lead by exams things, where the team gets energized from it. Richards stepped up in the 3rd in Chicago, and the team responded to it. We need more from our captain at this point, and hitting is his best attribute.
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Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
@King Alex, DB was down on hits from a career stand point almost 3/5ths of last season, but caught up when it counted. Good job figuring out the hits though. I did the same thing last season.
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CB14 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
@King Alex, I think it has more to do with his age. He’s not old, but his body has taken more punishment than pretty much any other player at his age. Even with all that, he’s still been an ironman, missing only 10 games the last 7 years while being in the top 3 in hits in the NHL for each of the past 6 seasons.
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Kind of obliging of Oilers to showcase Whitney, Nuge & Khabibulin for us tonight as we showcase Quick, Strollsy, Penns and a 7th round draft pick in turn.
(just hope the draft pick can play strong D for us)
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Hopefully JQ wants to atone for the last game at rexall
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King Alex Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
@Munchrat, Hopefully he won’t over-commit and play in position a little better this time out.
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YoBro Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@King Alex, THAT’S hitting the nail on the head!
Go Kings
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Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@Munchrat,
He had over a 90% save percentage. That’s all you can ask for. More times than not Quick will do better than that, but he is human. Kings must score more to win.
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LT21 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@Dominick, Exactly. Quick seems to be taking the brunt of the blame but the offense has not been active and the D is not consistent. Yeah so Quick hasn’t had the same start to the season like he did last year but that doesn’t mean he is a bad goalie or that Bernier is better. Quick needs support and can’t be expected to carry the team all alone every season.
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YoBro Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
@Dominick, But a lot of those shots are off rebounds he gives up.
Go Kings
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DesertKing Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@Dominick,
+1
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But I like DB on the left.
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CB14 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@Dominick, +1
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tornado12 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@Dominick, but can you quantify that statement? i need some corsi stats to feel good about it…
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Dominick Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
@tornado12,
last 5 seasons.
DB on the right 4/no stanley cups.
DB on the left 1/Stanley Cup.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@Dominick, does that stat trump CORSI?
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
@Dominick, Except that he played on the left AND the right last season.
luc20rules Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
@Dominick, +1, I have said that alot here.
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I like Oilers’ Kings-baiting 3rd line.
We’ll struggle to compete with that one..
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On our way to game tonight!
I used to think of Albert as a scene from the movie “Fargo” but with oil wells like this picture today:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3jm0xrn5gg51iba/DSC00235.JPG
But only and hour before that, also today, from the Icefield Parkway, there was this awesome scenery:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yra9mo300dibm5j/DSC00182.JPG
I think it’s 10 F outside and snowing now in Edmonton. Hope thing Kings ruin these locals night tonight.
GKG
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
@LA_1968, moderated? Great.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
@LA_1968,
You are the first that I have heard of.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@DesertKing, i got a couple links. Guess that is the prob. Shame cuz they are of Alberta.
Clearly the teams we play against know us well…
Hall stated it earlier in thread…
Come out hard vs us and score…
Make us play ketchup hockey…Which we are not the doing well..
Although I have seen more of an effort with this
So far this season…We can make a game of it..
But we just usually don’t win..just come close…
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@SLIM, Hot Dogs for sticks and Tater tot shoot outs…love Ketchup Hockey!
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bbb7 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
@SLIM, We played a better brand of ketchup hockey when we had Steve Heinze 57 on the squad.
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Eager? Only one reason they dress this guy…
Note to Kings: Stay away from Ben Eager!!!!!
1) there is no good trade off in this situation…anyone he takes to the box its in Edmontons favor
2) more than likely youll lose and everyone will be doing there best Chris Tucker “Friday” impersonation…yuo got knocked the _____ out!!
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Wondering…how soon could a team be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs in this shortened season? I guess playing for 8th place isn’t bad considering where the team went after making it last year. But that team was playing good hockey down the stretch, so it wasn’t impossible.
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Clearly the teams we eat against know our Del (monte)…
Hall ate it up earlier in the spread…
Come out hard vs us and pour…
Make us take ketchup bottles…Which we are not opening well..
Although I have seen more of a dressing with this
So far this season…We can make a jam of it..
But they just usually don’t open.. just come closed…
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SLIM Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
@Duncanz,
Nice try….
Was my comment as unreadable as you’res?
I hope not…
Flattery will get you everywhere..
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Go Kings Go!
The Kings are the Kings!
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I like the King’s chances tonight. 4 – 1 Kings.
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If these lineups are right, not too happy to see gagne. For a team starving for goals, leaving his creativity and skill out is no good. Don’t know why richardson can’t buy a game either. You’d think he could get a shot when king penner and fraser have all been invisible and even lewis, who i am a big fan of, is struggling
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kings714 Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Not happy to NOT see gagne
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
@kings714,
Gagne didn’t have a great game but I see no reason to leave him on the bench for any other reason than he’s perhaps sick. Pure speculation of course, but it makes sense to me.
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Can anyone advise is tonights game will be streamed legally and if so where it can be found? Have to work tonight.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@DesertKing, Legally? LOL. You can buy the NHL online package I believe. That’s about the only ‘legal’ way to do it officer King.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Thanks. Its going to be Nick and Darryl tonight!
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luc20rules Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
@DesertKing, Direct TV has some Apps to watch on internet phones/desktop/laptops, but you need internet and Direct TV acct.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 19th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
@DesertKing,
It sound’s like you’d like to be in the “firstrow”. are you in the “.eu”?
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One of our biggest problems is poor coverage on face offs in our zone.
We have to out muscle them in the circles and hit them hard to neutralize their speed.
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Why is Quick playing? Bernier wins two in a row and we put Quick back in? I love Quick but I just don’t get it.
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