Kings Expected to Start First-Round Series Thursday

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, but it looks as though the Kings will make their first playoff appearance in five years Thursday at St. Louis to begin their best-of-seven series with the Blues.

The NHL will officially announce the dates for all of the first-round games tonight, but the Kings have been informed that they will play their first two games Thursday and Saturday at St. Louis.

“We are going on the assumption that our first two home games will be Monday and Wednesday here [at the Great Western Forum],” King President Tim Leiweke said.

Which means that the Kings will host Game 3 on April 27 and Game 4 on April 29.

One reason for the series not starting on Wednesday is that the Lakers and the NBA won the battle with the Kings and the NHL to have a playoff game at the Forum on Sunday. The Lakers begin their first-round playoff series Friday at the Forum.

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After sitting out three consecutive games because of swelling in his left knee, center Ray Ferraro was in the lineup for the Kings in their 4-1 loss to the Mighty Ducks on Saturday. Ferraro began the game centering a line with Steve McKenna and Dan Bylsma on the wings. Left wing Luc Robitaille played his second game in a row and skated with Jozef Stumpel and Glen Murray, who played despite suffering a rib injury in Thursday’s loss to St. Louis.