#LAKings Projected Lineups: LA vs. Ottawa, Kings Hungry for a Home Victory (MayorsManor)

The Kings and Senators don’t play each other very often. Yet, when they do, November 27 seems like a pretty good day to do so.
That game last year also featured some shenanigans between Brendan Lemieux and Brady Tkachuk. Tonight, will be the first time the two clubs have met since then. Although any sort of follow-up to that storyline will have to wait at least a little longer. And will likely not happen any time soon. Lemieux is currently sidelined with an injury and LA will visit Ottawa on December 6, earlier than the forward’s currently projected return date. That will do it for the teams until next season, and there’s no guarantee Lemieux will still be with the Kings in 2023-24; he’s on a one-year contract and is set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
As for tonight, coach Todd McLellan’s team is 4-1 at home this month and they’re hungry to get back to their winning ways at Crypto Arena after falling to the New York Rangers there on Thanksgiving Eve.
Friday brought a decisive 5-2 Kings victory in San Jose. We’re expecting McLellan to go with the same lineup tonight — including Jonathan Quick in goal.
After playing for AHL Ontario last night, the Kings recalled Lias Andersson. As has been the case recently, he’s expected to be the extra forward in McLellan’s lineup.
Rookie defenseman Brandt Clarke also played for the Reign last night. He isn’t expected to play any time soon for the reasons explained here.
LA management made one additional roster move today, recalling defenseman Frederic Allard.
Why? There are a few reasons.
First, most coaches like to have options. While the Kings projected lineup below looks to be the same 18 skaters they used in their last game — and everybody is reported to be healthy are ready to go — what if something goes wrong with one of his starting six defensemen between morning skate and puck drop? McLellan now has an option. Again, using Clarke would come with consequences. Allard doesn’t.
Why not just recall Jacob Moverare, who the Kings used while Sean Durzi was out for a few games? It has to do with waiver eligibility. From a Mayor’s Manor article a few weeks ago:
Thus, using Allard in the backup role today “saves” Moverare for future recalls. It also allows the 24-year-old defenseman to play for the Reign today.
If there was injury or any real concern about one of the starting six blueliners not being available, we’d assume the Kings would have instead recalled Toby Bjornfot.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Ottawa Senators
Fiala – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Vilardi – Lizotte – Grundstrom
JAD – Kupari – Kaliyev
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Walker
Quick
Petersen
Scratches: Allard, Andersson, Clarke
Injured Reserve: Lemieux (targeting around Dec. 17)
Long-term Injured Reserve: Iafallo (has begun skating, targeted for mid-late December return)
Additional Game Notes
Puck drop is set for 7:30pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports West.
While the Kings are beginning a four-game homestand, tonight will bring the end of a four-game roadie for the Senators. Last time out, Ottawa claimed a 5-1 victory in Anaheim.
According to the Senators website, they’ll go with Cam Talbot in net vs. LA and he’ll play in front of:
Tkachuk – Stützle – Giroux
DeBrincat – Pinto – Batherson
Motte – Brassard – Joseph
Kelly – Kastelic – Watson
Chabot – Zub
Sanderson – Hamonic
Brannstrom – Holden
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