Spence notched a power-play assist in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Spence helped out on a Quinton Byfield tally in the second period. The helper gave Spence 24 points, including six on the power play, through 71 regular-season appearances. The defenseman added 67 hits, 55 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating in a bottom-four role. The Kings are likely to use seven blueliners on occasion in the playoffs, so Spence's playing time figures to be fairly safe.
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Kings' Phillip Danault: Distributes three helpers
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Danault posted three assists and two shots on goal in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Danault had five helpers over the final six contests of the season following his return from an upper-body injury. The veteran center had 17 goals, 30 helpers, 159 shots on net, 80 hits, 60 blocked shots and a plus-12 rating over 78 regular-season appearances. Danault heads into the playoffs locked in as the Kings' second-line center.
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Kings' Trevor Moore: One of each Thursday
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Moore scored a goal on two shots and added an assist in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Moore collected both points in the second period. The winger had five goals and three assists over nine outings in April, putting together a strong finish to a career-best regular season. Moore produced 31 goals, 26 helpers, 244 shots on net, 91 hits, 58 blocked shots and a plus-11 rating over 82 appearances. He'll be a key two-way forward in the Kings' first-round playoff series versus the Oilers.
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Kings' Adrian Kempe: Pair of points in Thursday's win
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Kempe scored the game-winning goal and added a power-play assist in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Kempe made his contributions late in the contest. He helped out on Viktor Arvidsson's equalizer with 1:21 left in regulation before tallying the game-winner six seconds into overtime. The pair of points gave Kempe 28 goals, 47 helpers, 246 shots on net, 112 hits and a plus-13 rating over 77 appearances this season. The 27-year-old will likely continue to see heavy usage in a top-line role in the Kings' first-round playoff series versus the Oilers.
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Kings' Quinton Byfield: Snaps slump to end regular season
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Byfield scored a goal on eight shots and added an assist in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Both points came on the power play. Byfield entered Thursday on a nine-game point drought. He was able to snap the drought with a second-period tally, and he also set up Viktor Arvidsson's equalizer in the third. Late slump aside, Byfield took a big step forward in 2023-24, finishing with 20 goals, 55 points (14 on the power play), 161 shots on net, 66 hits and a plus-19 rating over 80 appearances. Byfield spent most of the season on the top line, but he may be more sheltered in the postseason.
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Kings' Viktor Arvidsson: Scores two goals Thursday
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Arvidsson scored twice and added an assist in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Arvidsson got the Kings on the board in the second period, set up a Trevor Moore tally late in the frame and then scored a power-play marker late in the third to force overtime. The winger has been strong in April with five goals and five assists over nine contests. While he was limited to 18 regular-season appearances, Arvidsson produced 14 points (five on the power play), 59 shots on net and a plus-4 rating while seeing top-six minutes. He's a solid choice for fantasy managers in playoff contests.
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Kings' Cam Talbot: Wins ugly Thursday
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Talbot stopped nine of 13 shots in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
Talbot got the win, but it wasn't pretty. The Kings melted down early in the third period, only to salvage it with a Viktor Arvidsson equalizer with 1:21 left in regulation and Adrian Kempe's game-winner six seconds into overtime. The win set up the third consecutive year of a Kings-Oilers first-round matchup in the playoffs. Talbot ends the regular season 27-20-6 with a 2.50 GAA and a .913 save percentage. He'll likely be the starter in the playoffs as he looks to help the Kings finally get past one of his former teams.
Talbot will protect the home goal versus the Blackhawks on Thursday, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.
Talbot has gone 3-3-0 with 16 goals allowed over six contests in April. The 36-year-old is likely getting the start Thursday since the Kings need a win to have a chance at the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division. Talbot figures to be the Kings' starter in the postseason as well, and he'll have a favorable matchup Thursday to potentially grab positive momentum.
Turcotte (upper body) was recalled from AHL Ontario on Tuesday and activated from long-term injured reserve.
Turcotte had two assists in three outings during his LTI conditioning loan. He will be available to return from a 13-game absence in the Kings' regular-season finale against Chicago on Thursday. Turcotte has one goal and four points in 20 NHL appearances this campaign.
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Kings' Akil Thomas: Heading back to AHL
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Thomas was reassigned to AHL Ontario on Tuesday.
Thomas made a strong first impression in the NHL with three goals, one assist, nine shots on goal and eight hits over seven games despite averaging 8:44 of ice time per contest. He'll still lose his roster spot to Alex Turcotte (upper body), who was activated from long-term injured reserve. It's possible Thomas stays in the AHL, as the Reign are set to begin a playoff run, but he should get a chance to compete for a roster spot for 2024-25.
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Kings' Kevin Fiala: Plucks apple in loss
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Fiala recorded an assist and blocked two shots in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Wild.
Fiala set up Blake Lizotte on the Kings' lone tally of the game. With five goals and three assists over eight contests since the start of April, Fiala has done his part to keep the Kings' offense strong and balanced. The winger is up to 73 points, surpassing his total from last season, while adding 220 shots on net, 66 hits, 62 PIM and a plus-2 rating over 81 appearances this year.
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Kings' Blake Lizotte: Nets lone goal in loss
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Lizotte scored a goal and added two hits in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Wild.
Lizotte scored for the first time since March 25 -- he had just two assists over the nine games in between goals. The 26-year-old forward is up to 15 points, 75 shots on net, 63 hits and a plus-12 rating over 61 appearances this season. He remains in a bottom-six role, providing a bit of grit and defensive value with limited offense.
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Kings' Cam Talbot: Falls to Wild
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Talbot gave up three goals on 28 shots in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Wild.
Talbot had an assist on the Kings' lone tally, but he wasn't sharp enough in net. The loss puts the Kings in danger of slipping into a wild-card spot. Talbot is now 26-20-6 with a 2.47 GAA and a .915 save percentage through 53 outings this season. He's won three of his last six games. The Kings wrap up their regular-season slate at home versus the Blackhawks on Thursday.
Kopitar (undisclosed) will suit up Monday against the Wild, Zach Dooley of the Kings' official site reports.
Kopitar was out Saturday while dealing with what turned out to be a minor injury. The star center has racked up 26 goals and 70 points through 79 games this season, with 15 of those coming in his last 12 contests. He'll skate on the top line as usual Monday.
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Kings' Cam Talbot: Guarding crease Monday
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Talbot will get the starting nod at home Monday against the Wild, Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports.
Talbot has won three of his last four starts while registering a strong 2.29 GAA during that span. The veteran netminder faced Minnesota once this season, stopping 29 of 32 shots in a victory. He's 26-19-6 with a 2.46 GAA and a .915 save percentage this season.
