Game 9 Preview: Los Angeles Kings @ Ottawa Senators

The Los Angeles Kings will make their stop in Ottawa tonight, as part of their six-game road trip. They’re coming off a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs last night - their first regulation loss of the season. Currently tied for first in the West, they’ve been receiving key performances from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown (!!!).

The Ottawa Senators, meanwhile, are also coming off a game against the Leafs, in their exhilarating 6-3 win. A few roster moves have happened since then, most notably Bobby Ryan being placed on the IR after fracturing his finger in Saturday’s game. Being called up in his place is Max McCormick, who currently has three points in six games for the Belleville Senators. He recently received a one game suspension for throwing punches from the bench during a brawl, and watching the video, it’s surprising he didn’t receive more. His contract transitions to a one-way deal next season.

Colin White returned to the ice in yesterday’s practice without the no-contact jersey, so he could be potentially be making his season debut. Mike Condon will also make his second start of the season.

Here are the Sens’ lines from practice, although Guy Boucher explicitly stated not to take them too seriously, as he plans to change them almost right away during the game. In particular, Mark Borowiecki may be ready to go, which could lead to the Sens going with 11 forwards and 7 defencemen once again.

Here are some notes ahead of tonight’s contest:

• Who would’ve guessed a resurgence for the 32-year-old Dustin Brown, who’s already almost a third of the way to his point total last season. Him and Kopitar have combined for 22 points in 14 games.
• One Los Angeles player who’s unlikely to play tonight is Jonathan Quick. He started yesterday so Darcy Kuemper will likely be starting regardless, although Quick had to head to the bench twice yesterday for checks from concussion spotters, after taking a blow to the head. The whole situation was very odd, and hopefully he’ll be fine for the future.
• Erik Karlsson could pass Dion Phaneuf in career points very soon, sitting four behind (466 to 462).
• Derick Brassard’s five 5v5 goals is the fourth most in the league, only behind Kucherov, Ovechkin and Kopitar.
• Logan Brown was played for 10:49 against the Leafs on Saturday, a rarity under the rookie-averse Guy Boucher. With his options dwindling, it’ll be interesting to see how he manages Brown’s ice time.
• Connection of the Game: The peak of Michael Cammalleri’s career came in 2008-09, during his one year on the Calgary Flames before he returned three seasons later (82 points in 81 GP). Also there at the time was Dion Phaneuf, leading their defence corps in scoring.

Here are some stats for the two teams from NHL.com, except for Corsi and Fenwick from Natural Stat Trick.