The Los Angeles Kings begin a three-game homestand against the Montreal Canadiens before the season break.
After picking up a much-needed win in Carolina, the Kings return to LA where they are 15-3-1 on the season – the best record in the NHL.
The Canadiens are 12-13-1 on the road, this season, coming off a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.
Historically, the Canadiens have had the Kings’ number; LA is 42-92-20-1 all-time against Montreal. Don’t even get me started on 1993.
PHIL IN THE BLANK
Kings Forward and former Canadien Phillip Danault will have his work cut out for him versus his old club. In nine career games against Montreal, Danault has registered only two assists – blanked in seven of those contests.
Danault’s calling card is his ability to battle in the faceoff circle. Uncharacteristically, he’s just above .500 (50.3% faceoff win percentage) all-time against Montreal.
Coming off a two-point game (1G, 1A) against the Carolina Hurricanes, Danault will look to start a point streak for the first time since late-December, early-January where he recorded six assists in six games.
WHAT’S UP (WITH) DACH?
In fifty-three games played, this season, Canadiens Forward Kirby Dach has recorded twenty-one points (10G, 11A) and a -26 rating.
At the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Dach was selected 3rd-overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Personally, he was the player I had penciled in to be selected by the Kings as Forward Jeff Carter’s successor.
Fast forward to the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Dach was traded to the Canadiens for the 13th-overall pick (acquired from the New York Islanders) and a third-round pick (98th-overall).
According to Elite Prospects, Dach is on pace for thirty-two point (15G, 17A) season with fifty-nine PIMS and a -40 rating.
What’s the diagnosis, Dr. Blake?
Ok, ok… Childish humor aside, I’m a fan of Dach’s and I want to see him succeed.
When the Kings and Canadiens last met (October 17, 2024), Dach won all-four of his faceoffs versus LA. Over six career games against the Kings, Dach has a 43.3% faceoff win percentage, 76.9% in their last three meetings.
ED-MONT-SON
Kings Defenseman Joel Edmundson played one hundred forty Regular Season and twenty-two Playoff games with the Canadiens over three seasons – combining for thirty-eight points (8G, 30A) and one hundred twenty-eight PIMS.
In his last ten games against the Canadiens, Edmundson has three points (1G, 2A), a +3 rating, ten hits, and has shown good composure by only accruing four PIMS.
Puck drop is slated for 7:35 PM PST. You can watch the game on television via the FanDuel Sports Network or listen live with the ESPN LA app.
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