Gavrikov left the Kings' game last Sunday after just 6:36 TOI due to a lower-body injury and missed Wednesday vs. Winnipeg and is now considered out week-to-week after being placed on the Injured Reserve. The 28-year-old defensemen was having one of the strongest offensive seasons of his seven year career, with three goals, six assists, 29 SOG, six PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 25 games prior to his injury.
If Copley has to miss any time this season, the Kings will likely recall David Rittich, who has spent the entire season with the Ontario Reign (AHL), posting a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV% in 16 games (7-6-3). In any event, Cam Talbot should continue to see the lion's share of action between the pipes as he continues to have an exceptional season.
Gavrikov left the Kings' previous game Sunday after just 6:36 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will miss Wednesday vs. Winnipeg and is now considered out week-to-week. The 28-year-old defensemen was having one of the strongest offensive seasons of his seven year career, with three goals, six assists, 29 SOG, six PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 25 games prior to his injury.
Moverare had five assists, six PIMs and a +1 plus/minus in 16 games played with Ontario (AHL) to start the season but will make his season debut with the Los Angeles Kings Wednesday as he replaces Vladislav Gavrikov. The 25-year-old defensemen appeared in two games for the Kings in 2022-23, failing to pick up a point.
Gavrikov left the Kings' previous game Sunday after just 6:36 TOI due to a lower-body injury and will miss Wednesday vs. Winnipeg as he is considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old defensemen is having one of the strongest offensive seasons of his seven year career, with three goals, six assists, 29 SOG, six PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 25 games prior to his injury.
Jones will be a healthy scratch for the Avalanche as defensemen Bowen Byram and Cale Makar, both previously game-time decisions, will suit up for Thursday night's contest against the Winnipeg Jets. Jones has two points (0G / 2A), averaging 12:45 time-on-ice in 12 games with the Avalanche this season.
Copley and Cam Talbot were originally slated to be a timeshare tandem, but a horrid start to the season for Copley derailed that plan and saw him see limited action in the first six weeks of the season. Since then, Copley has regained some trust from the Kings' coaching staff, as he has a sensational .980 SV% across his last two outings (2-0-0) and will start for the third time in seven games. The Kings have a favourable matchup for Copley on Tuesday as they are -199 road favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that ranks in the bottom third of the league offensively (2.85 GF / GP).
Copley and Cam Talbot were originally slated to be a timeshare tandem, but a horrid start to the season for Copley derailed that plan and saw him see limited action in the first six weeks of the season. Since then, Copley has regained some trust from the Kings' coaching staff, as he has a sensational .980 SV% across his last two outings (2-0-0) and is expected to start for the third time in seven games. The Kings have a favourable matchup for Copley on Tuesday as they are -199 road favourites against a Columbus Blue Jackets team that ranks in the bottom third of the league offensively (2.85 GF / GP).
The Capitals were beginning to alternate starts between Kuemper and Charlie Lindgren, but with Lindgren recovering from an illness, Kuemper will start for the third consecutive game on Monday. Despite a 1-2-0 record, Kuemper is in the midst of one of his most consistent three-game stretches of the season, saving 81 of 90 shots in the process (.900 SV%). The Capitals are +114 road underdogs against a red-hot Arizona Coyotes team that has won four straight games, outscoring their opposition 13-5.
Kuemper will get his third start in five games as he takes the crease Thursday in Ahaheim after allowing two goals on 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a loss to San Jose in his last appearance. The 33-year-old veteran has struggled this season which has led to almost an even split in Washington's crease, with his 4-4-2 record, .894 SV% and 2.95 GAA. He takes on the struggling Anaheim Ducks, who are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak and are 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.68).
Kuemper will get his third start in five games as he takes the crease Thursday in Ahaheim after allowing two goals on 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a loss to San Jose in his last appearance. The 33-year-old veteran has struggled this season which has led to almost an even split in Washington's crease, with his 4-4-2 record, .894 SV% and 2.95 GAA. He takes on the struggling Anaheim Ducks, who are looking to snap a seven-game losing streak and are 28th in the NHL in goals per game (2.68).
The revolving door of roster moves continues for Jacob Moverare who was recalled from Ontario (AHL) on Tuesday. The 25-year-old defensemen returns to the Kings where he failed to pick up a point in two games played in his previous appearances while averaging only 14:58 TOI. He has yet to score in 21 career games played but has two assists and 21 SOG during that span.
Charlie Lindgren has seen an increased workload in the crease for the Capitals lately but, after allowing five goals in their 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Kuemper will be the starter on Monday and get the chance to regain control of the crease. Kuemper has been wildly inconsistent this season and only has a quality start in three of nine contests this season (.333 QS%), numbers that rival career lows and are significantly lower than his career average of .548 QS%. That said, Kuemper is coming off a serviceable performance in which he saved 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres that he will hope to build on. The Capitals are heavy -236 road favourites against the last-place San Jose Sharks, who they defeated 4-3 less than a month ago.
Charlie Lindgren has seen an increased workload in the crease for the Capitals lately but, after allowing five goals in their 5-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday, Kuemper will likely be the starter on Monday and get the chance to regain control of the crease. Kuemper has been wildly inconsistent this season and only has a quality start in three of nine contests this season (.333 QS%), numbers that rival career lows and are significantly lower than his career average of .548 QS%. That said, Kuemper is coming off a serviceable performance in which he saved 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres that he will hope to build on. The Capitals are heavy -236 road favourites against the last-place San Jose Sharks, who they defeated 4-3 less than a month ago.
Copley will take over the Kings' crease for the second time in three games Saturday vs. Montreal after stopped 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory last start. The 31-year-old Alaskan native has struggled out of the gate this season, with his 2-0-2 record, 3.75 GAA and .845 SV%. He will face the Montreal Canadiens for a matinee showdown, who has won two straight games but are 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.85).
Several minor injuries tied in with the strong play of Charlie Lindgren have limited Kuemper to only one start since November 2nd, but he will return to the create on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kuemper has struggled this season, posting an uncharacteristic 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games (3-3-2), and has historically been poor against the Sabres with a 3.69 GAA and .878 SV% in seven career meetings (3-2-1). That said, the Capitals have won four straight and are -120 home favourites against a Sabres team that will again be without Tage Thompson (upper-body).
