#LAKings Projected Lineup: LA Kings vs. Arizona Coyotes in Game 18 (MayorsManor)

Kings coach Todd McLellan enters Sunday’s back-half of this weekend’s back-to-back games in a very tough spot.
He likely needs to make several roster changes. However, nothing is really obvious on paper at the moment.
Just a few days ago, talk behind the scenes was that rookie defenseman Sean Durzi would make his NHL debut today. The question was, who would he replace? A long article could have even been written looking at the pros and cons of resting Olli Maatta, Toby Bjornfot, Kale Clague… heck, even Alex Edler could have been the guy to sit out, instead of playing him on consecutive days.
In the end, that debate will have to wait. Earlier this morning, MayorsManor learned that plans have changed and Durzi will not draw in today.
Moving up to forward, there’s plenty to discuss. The elephant in the room surrounds what to do with Viktor Arvidsson. As we discussed at length on last week’s Kings Of The Podcast, it certainly seems like he could use a brief respite from top line duties. Yes, he missed time due to being in protocol — and then was out a while longer with a separate issue. For some reason, though, the magic just isn’t there yet playing alongside Anze Kopitar. It doesn’t mean it will never work. It just isn’t working thus far.
Further down the lineup, the bottom-6 also comes with issues for McLellan. Carl Grundstrom was starting to play well, only to recently find himself out of the lineup. Lias Andersson added value when he was playing last month and he hasn’t been able to find his way back in since being injured a few weeks ago. It would seem McLellan would want at least one, if not both, back playing games sooner, not later. So what’s the problem?
For starters, Blake Lizotte and Brendan Lemieux are screwing things up (said tongue in cheek). Who would have thought they’d become such a dynamic duo; almost like Danault-Iafallo light, in terms of effectiveness. Just a month ago, few would have predicted Lizotte and Lemieux needing to be fixtures in the lineup every night.
This type of ‘problem’ is limiting McLellan’s options. Not that he’s listening to suggestions, but we at least offered up a few combinations for discussion recently:
About the only easy decision McLellan has today is putting Jonathan Quick in at goaltender.
The lineup projection below is pure speculation. Without a morning skate and/or input from McLellan, we have little to go on.
LA KINGS PROJECTED LINEUP vs. ARIZONA COYOTES on 11/21

Kempe – Kopitar – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Danault – Athanasiou
Grundstrom/Andersson – Kupari – Brown
Lemieux – Lizotte – Kaliyev
Other options: Moore
Edler – Roy
Björnfot – Anderson
Maatta – Clague
Other options: Durzi
Quick (starter)
Petersen
Injured Reserve: Doughty and Walker
On the Coyotes side of things:
Arizona is coming off an overtime victory on Saturday.
Last season, the Coyotes were 3-4-1 vs. the Kings – with all three wins coming in LA.
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun is carrying a six game points streak vs. the Kings. Who was the last Coyotes player to do something like that? Shane Doan, of course (back in 2007-08).
KINGS MILESTONES WITHIN REACH

Alex Edler – one goal away from career number 100
Anze Kopitar – needs 54 points to pass Dave Taylor for third on the Kings all-time scoring list
Dustin Brown is 10 goals away from passing Bernie Nicholls for fifth place in Kings franchise history
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PST tonight and the game will be on Bally Sports Network.
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