LA Kings
Kings vs Flyers Game 40: Lines, Notes & How to Watch
The “Swedish Godfather” has been showered with praise from teammates and coaches leading into his 1000th game.
The Los Angeles Kings (21-12-6) have an opportunity to extend their point streak to eight games Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers (12-17-7).
Puck drops at 1:00 PM.
This will also be Alex Edler's 1000th career game. He'll become the third active member of the Kings to have played 1000 games, joining Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar.
The "Swedish Godfather" has been showered with praise from teammates and coaches leading into his 1000th game. With everyone agreeing Edler is a model professional and calming presence both on and off the ice.
“The minute he walks into the room, it’s professional all the way through,” Todd McLellan said. “Spence, Moverare and Bjornfot, forwards too but the backend, in particular, you’ve got to absorb everything that this guy does and find a way to fit it into your toolkit.”
McLellan is also expecting his team to give Edler a great performance.
"I sure the hell hope tomorrow our guys play," said McLellan Friday. "Because Eddy gives to the game a lot more than he takes from it and our group owes him a night. The coaching staff owes him a good night, the players owe him a good night and it's our job to give him that night. He'll give us his best so we've got to give him ours."
The Flyers are 3-7 in their last 10 games, but they'll be hoping to spoil Edler's night on Saturday.
A bottom-ten team in most five-on-five statistics, a bottom-ten special teams and without Carter Hart in net, this is a beatable Flyers team. However, there are no easy games in the NHL.
Because of the 1 PM start, there will be no morning skate, but Friday's practice did give an insight into the Kings' lineup. Trevor Moore is still out and Quinton Byfield has remained on the top line.
This will be a huge opportunity for Byfield and his first extended look in a top-six role. A lack of opportunity has plagued his career's early stages, and now it's on him to take his opportunity.
Expected Los Angeles Kings Lines:
Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe
Alex Iafallo-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson
Kevin Fiala-Blake Lizotte-Gabe Vilardi
Carl Grundstrom-Rasmus Kupari-Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Defense:
Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty
Sean Durzi-Matt Roy
Alex Edler-Sean Walker
Goalies:
Pheonix Copley
Jonathan Quick
Expected Philadelphia Flyers Lines:
James Van Riemsdyk-Morgan Frost-Owen Tippett
Joel Farabee-Noah Cates-Travis Konecny
Kevin Hayes-Scott Laughton-Wade Allison
Nicolas Deslauriers-Patrick Brown-Zack MacEwen
Defense:
Ivan Provorov-Cam York
Travis Sanheim-Tony DeAngelo
Nick Seeler-Rasmus Ristolainen
Goalies:
Samuel Ersson
Felix Sandstrom
Los Angeles Kings Pre-Game Notes:
- The LA Kings overcame a two-goal deficit in the final frame Thursday night versus Colorado for their third multi-goal third-period comeback victory of the season, tied with the Islanders and Ducks for the most in 2022-23. That equals the highest single-season total in franchise history (also 3 in 2005-06 and 2007-08).
- Blake Lizotte has five points (1-4=5) in his last five games.
- The Kings are one of four teams (Tampa, Buffalo, Ottawa) with six skaters with 10 or more goals this season.
- The Kings aim to finish the month of December 6-1-0 at Crypto.com Arena and 10-3-2 overall.
- Philip Danault has points in his last five consecutive games against Philadelphia (1-8=9).
How to Watch:
TV: Bally Sports West, ESPN+; Radio: iHeartRadio