The Kings have a chance to catapult themselves within the dense Pacific Division standings during a back-to-back set against a pair of struggling rivals this weekend, when they’ll visit the Ducks Friday before hosting the Arizona Coyotes Saturday.
Since returning from an extended all-star break, the Kings, who are one point behind first-place Vegas but just one point ahead of fourth-place Edmonton in the Pacific, have been prolific on the ice and diligent in the front office. They won two games by a combined 11-2 tally while they’ve also signed emergent goalie Pheonix Copley and top-pairing defenseman Mikey Anderson to contract extensions.
With those moves –– along with the extension of Trevor Moore and his return from injury alongside Arthur Kaliyev and, imminently, Gabe Vilardi –– the trade deadline has come into tighter focus with all eyes on General Manager Rob Blake. Though the Kings are widely speculated to be the front-runner for Arizona defenseman Jakob Chychrun and may be exploring other options on defense and in goal, both Blake and Coach Todd McLellan have expressed confidence in their existing group. McLellan did so after Saturday’s victory over Pittsburgh and Blake reaffirmed the sentiment Wednesday night at a fan event where he addressed the audience.
“Getting these injured guys back I think solidifies the forward group and how they slot in there. We really haven’t had that since probably the first couple weeks of the season. That’ll be nice to get that going,” Blake told those on hand. “I think every team, come the deadline, they’re always exploring all different options and if there’s something there, but the one thing to be clear, it has to make our team better. We’re not taking away from this team anymore.”
Blake also joined McLellan, defenseman Sean Durzi and others in a chorus of voices singing the praises of Copley, who had been toiling in the minors before becoming the NHL’s winningest goalie since his…
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