Offensive catalyst McBain set to return

Jamie McBain has been stuck on 99 career points for 10 games.

“Yeah, I’m aware of that,” he said. “I’m kind of an offensive minded guy in general. So it’s something that would be a fun milestone to hit, whenever that may be.”

It could be tonight! Though he hasn’t found the scoresheet since assisting on Alec Martinez’s second period goal in the 7-6 overtime loss to Nashville on January 3, it’s by virtually no fault of his own. His nine-game hiatus from the lineup, per coaching decisions, has kept him tantalizingly close to what would be a neat personal milestone. Sutter indicated earlier today that McBain would return tonight against the Florida Panthers.

“I understand that it’s a part of the game. It’s part of everything that’s going to happen,” he said. “All you can do is wait for your name to be put back up on the board again and work hard in practice and make sure you’re staying sharp, staying on top of your game so that whenever your name is called again, you’re ready to go.”

During line rushes in Thursday’s morning skate, the former Wisconsin Badger skated to the right of Robyn Regehr. Alec Martinez moved back to the left side opposite frequent defensive partner Matt Greene. McBain’s return would form lefty-righty pairings through all three defensive pairs.

Darryl Sutter will remind you that when changes are made to the lineup, it’s often to the fourth line and the final defensive pairing. The Kings’ coach told the media early today that the change wasn’t as much about getting McBain back in the fold, but rather making a lineup decision relating to a younger player who has struggled at times away from home.

“We’re making a change because it’s not who’s going in as who’s going out,” Sutter said. “It’s just a right-handed defenseman for a left-handed defenseman. We’ll see.”

That appeared to be an indictment of the play of Brayden McNabb, who skated as the extra defenseman during yesterday’s practice in Sunrise. McNabb recorded 13:56 of ice time in the 4-0 loss at Washington on Tuesday and has eclipsed 14 minutes only four times in his last 12 games.

“Trying to win hockey games,” Sutter said. “Tough to develop players at this level. You better be ready to go or else you don’t get to play.”

McBain has had a positive impact on the Kings power play, according to the statistics. In the 16 games he has played, the Kings are 14-for-54 on the power play (25.9%). In the 34 games he hasn’t played, the Kings are 19-for-116 on the power play (16.4%). Three of McBain’s seven points (2-5=7) have come via the man advantage.

“We’ve used him a little bit on the power play,” Sutter said. “If he’s on his game, he passes the puck well.”

It was a sentiment shared by the defenseman who turns 27 later this month.

“Just go out there and play a simple game,” McBain said. “It’ll just be one of those things where make sure I’m rock solid defensively and any way I can maybe contribute offensively with some power play time, or something like that. Just make sure I’m moving the puck, getting pucks up to the forwards and keeping the game simple as possible.”

Jamie McBain, on whether experience helps him handle being in and out of the lineup:
Yeah, I think so. It’s kind of happened throughout my career in general. I’ve sat here and there and it’s kind of a little bit more so this year than in the past. But it’s something that I’ve definitely grown to understand and to make sure that, like I said, I’m keeping myself sharp in practice. That’s something that maybe in years past I maybe pouted or been upset. So I think, as of this year, it’s been a definite focus of mine to make sure regardless of what’s happening I’m staying as sharp as I can and like I said, whenever my name is put in, I’m ready to go.