Strolling out of the All-Star break with their most lopsided victory of the season and second shutout of 2022-23, the Kings may require another comprehensive effort when they welcome one of the top offensive clubs in the NHL Monday, the Buffalo Sabres.
As was the case with Saturday’s opponent, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Kings will have a chance to avenge a humiliating loss from earlier in the season. They dropped a game 6-1 in Pittsburgh on their first road trip of the season. In early December, the Kings were torpedoed in the third period of a 6-0 loss in which the host Sabres slathered on all six goals in the final frame and five of them in less than 10 minutes.
McLellan liked the way his group adjusted to Pittsburgh at second sight, but also acknowledged that his club “knew how good of a team” Buffalo was, though the Sabres are currently outside the playoff picture.
With an extended rest behind them, the Kings, who remain among four teams separated by a solitary point atop the Pacific Division, will now start kicking into the stretch. They’ve grasped the magnified importance of each game in an airtight divisional race.
“We’re down to 28 now, and 28 games goes by very quick,” McLellan said. “It’s going to go fast, it’s going to be critical that we perform at our best every night and even some nights that won’t be good enough to get wins, but we have to be pushing that way.”
Wingers Arthur Kaliyev and Trevor Moore returned in Saturday’s 6-0 win over the Penguins. Forward Gabe Vilardi also made additional strides toward rejoining the lineup, though he should be considered doubtful for Monday.
When healthy, the Kings have two potent power-play units, three quality scoring lines and a fourth line with above-average punch as well this season.
“When we’re healthy, I think we have four lines that can play against any line in the league, and I think that’s a great thing to have,” said forward Adrian Kempe, who scored four goals…
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