Tonight, the Kings are hosting the Nashville Predators as they continue their season series. Last month, Alex Turcotte shined for the Kings with two points, including his first NHL goal, while Kevin Fiala, a former Kings draft pick, has made his presence felt against his old team this season. Quinton Byfield has also been impressive against the Predators throughout his career, tallying six points in six games.
After a light practice day on Wednesday, the Kings hit the ice for a full-team skate today. It’s expected that David Rittich will start in goal tonight against his former team, with a solid track record against the Predators. Although official line rushes weren’t announced, the potential lineup was indicated based on jersey colors during practice.
Exciting news comes with the return of Blake Lizotte to the lineup tonight after recovering from an injury. Lizotte is slated to play on the wing alongside Pierre-Luc Dubois and Quinton Byfield, providing the Kings with added depth and flexibility. There’s also a possibility of Jaret Anderson-Dolan making an appearance, offering more options for the team.
On the Predators’ side, they’re currently on a five-game road trip and are likely to start Juuse Saros in goal. With key players like Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist contributing, the Predators pose a formidable challenge for the Kings.
#Preds lines vs. #VegasBorn:
Forsberg – O’Reilly – Nyquist
Trenin – Sissons – Glass
Jankowski – Novak – Evangelista
Smith – McCarron – SherwoodJosi – Fabbro
McDonagh – Schenn
Lauzon – CarrierLankinen
Scratches: Afanasyev, Barrie, Gurianov
— Zach Gilchriest (@ZachGilchriest) February 21, 2024
Despite facing lineup adjustments due to injuries, the Kings remain adaptable and focused on securing a crucial win tonight. Lizotte’s return injects energy and depth into the lineup, while the team continues to adjust on the fly to maintain their competitive edge. It’s shaping up to be an exciting matchup as both teams vie for valuable points in the Western Conference standings.
