From the Great White North: Kings 1-0 after one
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Playing with only one recognizable, NHL-caliber line, and with defenseman Davis Drewiske on the wing and Oscar Moller at center instead of the wing simply because they had no other options, the Kings on Tuesday sent out a patched-together lineup after centerJarret Stoll (groin) joined Ryan Smyth (ribs) and Wayne Simmonds (knee surgery) on the sideline.
The result?
A 1-0 Kings lead over the Oilers, who are as hot--five straight wins--as the weather was cold (roughly minus-9 degrees Fahrenheit).
Brad Richardson scored the lone goal of the first period, set up by Dustin Brown. The Oilers had the puck at the Kings’ blue line, whereSteve Staios passed across to fellow defenseman Denis Grebeshkov. The puck went behind Grebeshkov, allowing Brown to pounce on it and take it the other way. Skating up the right side, he slid a pass to Richardson, whose wrist shot beat goalie Jeff Deslauriers at 5:29.
The Kings’ only familiar line wasAlexander Frolov-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams. Richardson was on the left side with Michal Handzus and Brown, a trio that collectively had one goal the previous five games. Newcomer Corey Elkins played alongside Scott Parse and Raitis Ivanans, leaving Drewiske on the left of Moller and Teddy Purcell.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick, appearing in his 33rd game of the Kings’ season, stopped all nine shots he faced. However, defenseman Jack Johnson was hit in the foot by a hard shot from Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray with less than three minutes left in the period and came off the ice favoring his right foot. We’ll keep you posted on his status.
More later at www.latimes.com/sports
Helene Elliott, from Edmonton, Canada