Bruins and Kings Set to Face Off: Projected Lineups and Game Preview

The Boston Bruins (12-10-0) are set to clash with the Los Angeles Kings (10-6-5) tonight at the Crypto.com Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. Hockey fans can catch the action on FDSNW, NESN, and SN. Here's a look at the projected lineups and what to expect from both teams.

Bruins Projected Lineup

The Bruins are dealing with several injuries, impacting their lineup configurations. Charlie McAvoy (upper body), Elias Lindholm (lower body), Jordan Harris (ankle surgery), Casey Mittelstadt (lower body), and Viktor Arvidsson (lower body) are all sidelined.

Here's how the Bruins are expected to line up:

• Forwards:
  • Matej Blumel – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak
  • Alex Steeves – Marat Khusnutdinov – Morgan Geekie
  • Tanner Jeannot – Fraser Minten – Mark Kastelic
  • Riley Tufte – Sean Kuraly – Michael Eyssimont
• Defense:
  • Nikita Zadorov – Jonathan Aspirot
  • Hampus Lindholm – Henri Jokiharju
  • Mason Lohrei – Andrew Peeke
• Goaltenders: Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo

Michael Callahan and Jeffrey Viel are expected to be scratched. Riley Tufte will re-enter the lineup after being scratched in the previous game against Anaheim. There was a switch in the Bruins morning skate where Pastrnak and Steeves switched lines.

Kings Projected Lineup

The Kings are also dealing with injury issues, as Drew Doughty is out with a lower-body injury.

Here's the Kings' projected lineup:

• Forwards:
  • Andrei Kuzmenko – Anze Kopitar – Trevor Moore
  • Kevin Fiala – Quinton Byfield – Adrian Kempe
  • Warren Foegele – Phillip Danault – Alex Laferriere
  • Joel Armia – Alex Turcotte – Corey Perry
• Defense:
  • Mikey Anderson – Brian Dumoulin
  • Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke
  • Jacob Moverare – Cody Ceci
• Goaltenders: Darcy Kuemper, Anton Forsberg

Jeff Malott and Samuel Helenius are expected to be scratched. Darcy Kuemper will start in goal after being given the day off in the previous game. Goalie Pheonix Copley has been reassigned to Ontario of the American Hockey League. The Kings did not hold a morning skate following a 4-3 shootout loss at the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

Bruins and Kings: By the Numbers

The Bruins enter the game with a 12-10-0 record, while the Kings are 10-6-5. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins with 11 goals and 16 assists, while Morgan Geekie leads the team with 14 goals. For the Kings, Adrian Kempe leads with 20 points, and Quinton Byfield has 17 points.

Boston has the NHL's fourth-ranked power play at 27.4 percent. Los Angeles has the NHL's 15th-ranked penalty kill at 80 percent.

AccuScore projects the Kings to have 27 shots on goal compared to 25 for the Bruins. They also give the Kings' goalies a save percentage edge at 92.8% compared to 89.2% for the Bruins' goalies.

Players to Watch

For the Bruins, keep an eye on David Pastrnak, who has 11 goals and 16 assists on the season. For the Kings, Adrian Kempe leads the team with 20 points.