The Los Angeles Kings will bid to extend their points streak and gain ground in the Pacific Division when they host the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday.
The Kings are 4-0-1 in their last five games, including Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Utah Hockey Club. Drew Doughty recorded a goal and two assists against Utah, in what might be a breakout game within his difficult season.
After breaking his left ankle in preseason play, Doughty didn’t return to action until Jan. 29. The defenseman had only one assist in six games before he departed to play for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off, but Doughty’s strong performance in the tournament has left him re-energized.
“I’m not going to lie, I was lacking a little bit of confidence because I wasn’t playing the way I wanted to play,” Doughty said. “Making that team gave (confidence) to me, and then when I proved to myself I could still play with those big boys, it made me feel really good about myself. And I came back here just excited to go on this playoff stretch.”
An in-form Doughty would provide a huge boost to a Los Angeles group that is already in a playoff position as the Pacific Division’s third-place team. The schedule is also in the Kings’ favor, as 18 of the team’s final 28 games will be played in Los Angeles.
The Kings are 18-3-2 on home ice, good for the highest home point percentage (.826) in the NHL this season. This sterling home record includes a 6-3 victory over the Golden Knights on Oct. 30, while the Knights recorded a 6-1 win over the Kings in Las Vegas on Oct. 22.
Vegas has a seven-point edge over the Kings in the standings, but the Golden Knights are more directly battling the Edmonton Oilers for first place in the Pacific. The Knights’ pursuit of the Pacific crown has been helped by a dominant 15-2-1 record against division opponents.
While Doughty was elevated by the 4 Nations Face-Off, the tournament wasn’t as positive an experience for a star Vegas defenseman. Shea Theodore will miss multiple weeks after sustaining an arm injury while playing for Team Canada.
Even without Theodore, the Golden Knights extended their winning streak to three games in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Brandon Saad tallied the game-winning goal in ambush fashion, scoring 18 seconds into the third period.
Saad has two goals and an assist in five games with Vegas, who signed the veteran forward after he was released by the St. Louis Blues at the end of January.
“Any time you win hockey games and when you score goals and contribute, you’re going to feel good about yourself … The guys have been great and welcoming so far, and it’s been fun,” Saad said.
Darcy Kuemper will likely start in net for Los Angeles. Kuemper is 17-6-6 with an excellent 2.22 goals-against average over 30 starts this season.
Since Adin Hill played for Vegas against Vancouver, Ilya Samsonov (13-7-2, 2.72 GAA) might be favored to start against the Kings. Vegas has been mostly alternating goaltender starts over the last two months.
Jack Eichel leads the Golden Knights with 69 points (19 goals, 50 assists). Adrian Kempe (25 goals, 21 assists) and Anze Kopitar (13 goals, 33 assists) are tied for the Kings’ team lead with 46 points apiece.
–Field Level Media
