Centers of attention

As previously posted, the two young centers who are in contention for a roster spot will get a long look tonight. Brayden Schenn will center the second line, between Brad Richardson and Justin Williams, while Andrei Loktionov will center Kyle Clifford and Kevin Westgarth. Chances are increasingly good that the Kings will keep either Schenn or Loktionov at the start of the season — remember that Schenn can play nine games with the Kings and still be sent back to junior — so tonight’s game is a great opportunity for either player to show that he should stay at the NHL level, long-term. Here’s what Terry Murray had to say today…

MURRAY: “I guess you could say we’re looking at potential for the young guys. Schenn is there with Williams and Richardson tonight. You try to get a long-range projection, just to see where everything is at. On the other side of it, Stoll has played two games already. He played both games on the road, in Colorado and in Phoenix. So I have awareness to the veterans not overdoing it, with two many games.”