There likely hasn’t been this much intrigue surrounding an LA-Montreal game since 1993.
When the Kings and Canadiens drop the puck on Thursday night, it will be the former looking to make some history of their own.
As hockey’s most successful franchise over the past century, Montreal has certainly been on the right side of history more often than not. However, it’s been LA’s team who has already made one memorable moment when the team’s met up earlier this season.
First time in LA Kings history they shutout the Habs in LA https://t.co/klYAgzILLP
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) November 25, 2023
Just a few weeks ago, the Kings shutout the Canadiens in Los Angeles for the first time in club history. With their first SoCal meeting coming back in Nov. 1967, that’s a span of 50-plus years.
Tonight, though, the Kings can do something even more spectacular; they can make NHL history. A victory in Montreal would give them their eleventh straight victory on the road to start a season. Sitting at a perfect 10-0-0 following a historic third-period comeback against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, the Kings are hoping to carry that momentum into Canada.
Last time out in Columbus, the Kings were down 3-0 after 40 minutes. That should have been daunting enough, as no Kings team had summoned a victory when trailing by that much in the third period since Nov. 2007 against Dallas. That game was at home; it had actually been more than 30 years since they did it on the road. Yet, that didn’t stop them. With four unanswered goals (three in regulation and one in overtime), the Kings tied the 2007 Buffalo Sabres for the longest road-win streak to start a season in league history.
Now comes the hard part… beating the record.
To do so, coach Todd McLellan is expected to turn to Cam Talbot in goal. Beyond his rather ridiculous 1.96 goals against average and .930 save percentage, dig a little deeper. Over Talbot’s last 10 games, nine of them have seen him give up two or fewer goals. In fact, he’s allowed 15 goals total over that span, with four of them coming in his one ‘bad’ game over that stretch. Removing the anomaly from the bunch, leaves Talbot with 11 goals against total over nine games.
For as much attention is being focused on the NHL record, McLellan and his group remain calm and collected with a ‘one game at a time’ mindset. For them, there are another two points up for grabs tonight in Montreal, that will be the focus in the room for this LA squad.
Blake Lizotte is a viable option to draw back in tonight. He has missed the last six games with an upper-body injury, yet has skated with the team during practice sevearl times. All indications are his return is immanent. While Lizotte will slide back into the 4C position when ready, keep an eye on Carl Grundstrom and Arthur Kaliyev. McLellan may opt to flip his two wingers; which keeps Kaliyev on the right side and reunites Grundstrom with his usual linemates.
Stats Worth Knowing
— Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore have recorded points in ten straight road games.
— Pierre-Luc Dubois has eight points (2G, 6A) in his last five games vs. Montreal.
— Adrian Kempe has seven goals in 10 career games against the Habs. Four of them have been game winning goals. Surprisingly, he’s never scored a power play goal against them. When Kempe scores against the Canadiens, the Kings are undefeated.
— In their 10 road games thus far this season, the Kings have scored 46 goals. Only three other teams in the league have scored as many goals in their first 10 road games of a season in the last 30 years, including the 2005-06 Kings team.
— McLellan’s squad have scored four or more goals in six of their last seven contests. They’ve also done it 14 times this season. Only Detroit (16) has more four-goal games this season than LA.
— In total, the Kings are aiming for their sixth consecutive win against the Canadiens, dating back to Oct. 30, 2021.
— Former Kings forward Tanner Pearson skates on the Habs third line. He’s still wearing his familiar No. 70 jersey.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Canadiens
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Danault – Moore
Laferriere – Dubois – Grundstrom
Kaliyev – Lizotte – Lewis
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Spence
Talbot (starter)
Copley
Likely scratches: Anderson-Dolan, Moverare
Injured: Arvidsson
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 4pm Pacific Time and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Across the Ice
Montreal is coming off a 4-2 win over Seattle on Monday. Here’s how they lined up for that one:
La formation de ce soir
Tonight's lineup#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/4iAgXh3YWD
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 5, 2023
Samuel Montembeault is expected to get the start in net again. However, look for at least one lineup change by the Habs:
Joel Armia doing some extra this morning. Michael Pezzetta isn’t so he’ll be back in the lineup tonight. @CanadiensMTL
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 7, 2023
On This Day in Kings History
On December 7, 1985, Marcel Dionne became the first player in franchise history to score 500 goals with the @LAKings. Dionne achieved the milestone when he scored his 10th goal of the season in a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/OZHIfoxfUt
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) December 7, 2023
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Game day graphic created by ALo Images
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