Kings center Mike Richards ‘50-50’ for Game 5 in Chicago
CHICAGO -- Not only did Mike Richards take line rushes on Saturday morning, Kings Coach Darryl Sutter said that it was “possible” that the center could play Saturday night in Game 5 at United Center.
Sutter put his chances at 50-50. The previous day he had said that it was “doubtful” Richards would play.
Richards, who has missed the last three games of this series because of a concussion, declined comment after the skate. He centered Kyle Clifford and Jordan Nolan in the morning line rushes.
“Well, it’s progress,” Sutter said. “I said it last time prior to Game 2 that he was playing, then he didn’t play. We nearly had to make more than one change prior to warmup.
“I’ll just stay away from it. Follow protocol. Obviously, yesterday kind of disrupted everything because of the travel, nobody’s able to do anything. We really are using this morning as if it was yesterday.”
The final call will be made by the medical staff and the coaches will have to weigh just how effective Richards will be in what is an elimination game for the Kings. The Blackhawks lead the Kings, three games to one, in the Western Conference finals.
“You do what you’re told medically, not any other way,” Sutter said.
ALSO:
Win or done, Kings must break road pattern in Chicago
Kings need weary Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown to contribute
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
