Regehr will “probably” play in Game 2

Darryl Sutter was asked a final question at the end of today’s post-practice press conference and responded with the biggest piece of news to come out of El Segundo in advance of Game 2. It was about Robyn Regehr, who hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury while attempting to make a hit on Devante Smith-Pelly in the first period of Game 1 of the Anaheim Series.

“He’ll probably play tomorrow,” Sutter said.

It hasn’t been announced whether there will be a morning skate in advance of tomorrow’s irregular 4:00 p.m. start time, so this may be the last indication of the team’s lineup before Game 2. Considering Matt Greene has averaged 13:51 of ice time per playoff game – a low amongst all Kings defensemen – and whose only appearance when the blue line was fully healthy was in Game 2 of the San Jose series, a game in which Los Angeles used seven defensemen, he may be the odd-man out.

If the Kings decide not to use seven defensemen on Saturday, the defense could look like this:

Muzzin – Doughty
Regehr – Voynov
Mitchell – Martinez

Alec Martinez was comfortable when shifted to the right side of the defense and paired with Willie Mitchell late in the regular season.

A key penalty killer, Regehr recorded two assists and averaged 17:11 of ice time in his eight playoff games this season. His presence would allow a more balanced dispersal of minutes amongst the team’s defenders.