8 games to watch – Daily News

The NHL launched its regular-season schedule on Thursday with an announcement on Sportscenter, a becoming venue because the league shifts to new platforms this season, most notably these of ESPN and Turner Sports activities.

After a truncated 56-game schedule of all intra-divisional play final season, the league returns to an 82-game schedule the place every crew will face each different crew at the very least as soon as earlier than a standard 16-team playoff bracket for the Stanley Cup.

What is just not enterprise as traditional is the Olympic break. Two variations of the schedule have been launched to groups, one with a pause in play from Feb. 7-22 in an effort to accommodate the Winter Olympics in China and one other with no break. The general public schedule included the pause.

Although the NHL and NHLPA got here to an settlement that might enable gamers to probably take part within the Olympics after foregoing the match in 2018, there are nonetheless logistical points to be labored out with the Worldwide Olympic Committee, which is perhaps resolved later this month.

Usually, an Olympic break precludes the staging of All-Star Weekend, nonetheless this 12 months no matter Olympic participation there can be an All-Star Weekend occasion on Feb. 4-5 in Las Vegas.

Final season, the NHL didn’t maintain All-Star Weekend, the Winter Traditional or its Stadium Collection occasions due to the pandemic, although there have been a pair of video games performed at an outside rink in Lake Tahoe. This 12 months the Minnesota Wild will host the Winter Traditional on Jan. 1 at Goal Area and the Nashville Predators will host the Stadium Collection in opposition to Tampa Bay on Feb. 26 at Nissan Stadium.

For the Kings’ half, both manner, they’ll have a whole schedule and, foreseeably, followers can be again at Staples Heart in full throat. They are going to face 5 of the seven Pacific Division groups (San Jose, Vegas, Edmonton, Seattle and the Geese) 4 occasions every and the opposite two opponents (Calgary, Vancouver) 3 times.

Growth Seattle doesn’t go to Staples Heart for the primary time till late March, when the Kings host them for a two-game set on March 26 and 28.

The Kings have two, seven-game homestands (Nov. 17-Dec. 2 and Dec. 28-Jan. 13) and play eight consecutive highway video games from Jan. 23-Feb. 24, although that is known as a six-game journey earlier than the Olympic break and a two-game journey afterward. The Kings even have 15 units of back-to-back video games this season.

Listed below are eight dates to avoid wasting for the approaching marketing campaign.

Oct. 14, vs. Vegas

Proximity and a postseason sweep by the hands of the Golden Knights of their inaugural season made Vegas a pure rival for the Kings. They open the season internet hosting Vegas, which took six of the eight head-to-head conferences final season.

Participant to Watch: Winger Viktor Arvidsson ought to make his Kings debut on this recreation, and 2014 playoff hero Alec Martinez can be again at Staples, however this time in a Vegas sweater.

Nov. 8, at Toronto

All the time a preferred journey for Ontario-born gamers, this season’s go to can even embody some outdated pals of the Kings and defenseman Drew Doughty, particularly. Toronto defenseman Jake Muzzin and goalie Jack Campbell have been shut with Doughty in Los Angeles, and winger Wayne Simmonds was his roommate.

Participant to Watch: Auston Matthews, who stays among the best pure scorers on the earth and a big determine for USA Hockey.

Nov. 17, vs. Washington

The Capitals have received the final 4 conferences with the Kings, scoring some spotlight targets within the course of, together with a magnificence from defenseman John Carlson of their final assembly at Staples Heart.

Participant to Watch: Winger Alex Ovechkin, whose each aim has milestone potential. His first aim of 2021-22 will tie him with Kings legend Marcel Dionne for fifth all-time, and he might surpass Jaromir Jagr for third place on the profession checklist earlier than the season is over. He additionally wants simply six power-play targets to surpass Dave Andreychuk for probably the most ever.

Nov. 30, vs. the Geese

The Freeway Faceoff can have 4 extra installments this season, starting with this showdown at Staples Heart. After a string of forgettable seasons, each groups can be in search of to start their ascent again to prominence in 2021-22. The groups additionally meet on Feb. 25 and April 19 at Honda Heart, earlier than concluding the regular-season sequence April 23 at Staples Heart.

Participant to observe: Trevor Zegras, the imaginative playmaker for the Geese who they belive will usher in a brand new period of prosperity.

Dec. 2, vs. Calgary

An engagement with the Flames means one factor above all else: Drew Doughty vs Matthew Tkachuk. The 2 have exchanged cross-checks and chirps since Tkachuk arrived within the league in 2016-17.

Participant to Watch: Tkachuk, whose antagonism has motivated Doughty at occasions and flummoxed him at others.

Jan. 13, vs. Pittsburgh

Like Washington, Pittsburgh options generational expertise with facilities Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. This season, one other of their pivots would be the focus of many Kings followers available.

Participant to Watch: Jeff Carter, whose 2012 arrival in Los Angeles signaled an period of unprecedented success and whose departure through commerce final season ruffled feathers within the Kings’ dressing room.

Jan. 15, at Seattle

The NHL’s latest growth franchise joined the Pacific Division – the Arizona Coyotes moved to the Central to accommodate the addition – and the Kings will face them 4 occasions, starting with a go to to Local weather Pledge Area.

Participant to Watch: After rising from undrafted free agent to Norris Trophy winner and crew captain in Calgary, defenseman Mark Giordano will start a brand new chapter of his profession in Seattle.

April 7, vs. Edmonton

Whether or not or not this stage of the season can be pivotal or pathetic for the Kings stays to be seen, however regardless Edmonton normally proves to be effectively well worth the value of admission.

Participant to Watch: Heart Connor McDavid and ahead Leon Draisaitl are the final two Hart Trophy winners, with McDavid posting a staggering 105 factors in 56 video games final season.