After serving as the backup the previous three games, Kuemper will likely return to the crease on Monday evening. In his last outing, Kuemper saved 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on February 17th. The Capitals have points in four straight (3-0-1) and enter action as +115 home underdogs against an Ottawa Senators club with an identical record in their last four outings (3-0-1).
Burroughs has not played the last two games but is likely to re-enter the lineup in favour of Calen Addison on Saturday. In his last game, Burroughs recorded one assist, one shot, and three hits in 16:05 time-on-ice.
The Kings will turn back to Rittich after Cam Talbot got the nod in each of the team's last two games. Rittich secured a victory his last time out, allowing four goals on 32 shots as Los Angeles held on to defeat the Bruins by a score of 5-4. Rittich owns an impressive .919 SV% and 2.25 GAA on the season to go along with his 8-2-3 record. He draws a solid matchup on Thursday, with the Kings being -160 favourites to pick up the win over the visiting Predators.
The Kings will likely turn back to Rittich after Cam Talbot got the nod in each of the team's last two games. Rittich secured a victory his last time out, allowing four goals on 32 shots as Los Angeles held on to defeat the Bruins by a score of 5-4. Rittich owns an impressive .919 SV% and 2.25 GAA on the season to go along with his 8-2-3 record. He draws a solid matchup on Thursday, with the Kings being -160 favourites to pick up the win over the visiting Predators.
Spence has not played the last four games and has been reassigned to the Ontario Reign of the AHL. Despite seeing limited action, Spence has been quietly productive when called upon, tallying three points (0G / 3A) in his last five outings.
Spence will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Brandt Clarke draws back into the Kings' lineup. Spence has no goals and 16 assists in 44 games this season.
Clarke will take the place of Jordan Spence, who is listed as a scratch on Thursday. Clarke is expected to skate alongside Andreas Englund on the team's third defensive pair.
Despite being pulled after giving up five goals on just 17 shots in Tuesday's 7-0 thrashing at the hands of the Sabres, Rittich will be back between the pipes for the Kings on Thursday. This might be the strongest indication that it really is Rittich's starting job at this point, though to be fair, Cam Talbot didn't fare much better on Tuesday. Rittich owns a 6-2-3 record on the season to go along with a .919 SV% and a 2.23 GAA. He and the Kings have even odds to pick up the win in New Jersey on Thursday.
Jeannot was activated off Injured Reserve earlier this week and made his return to the lineup on Tuesday, but was limited to only 5:44 time-on-ice before re-aggravating his lower-body injury. The 26-year-old bruising winger has filled in his bottom-six role well this season with 12 points (6G/6A), 52 SOG, 61 PIMs, and a -11 plus/minus in 41 games played before the injury.
Rittich will continue his reign over the Kings' crease and start his fourth straight game on Tuesday evening. The Czech netminder is riding a two-game winning streak and is coming off a tremendous performance in his last outing, saving all 26 shots he faced in a 4-0 shutout victory over the typically high-scoring Edmonton Oilers. The Kings are -131 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres club that has scored only two goals in their last two games (0-2-0).
Rittich will continue his reign over the Kings' crease and start his fourth straight game on Tuesday evening. The Czech netminder is riding a two-game winning streak and is coming off a tremendous performance in his last outing, saving all 26 shots he faced in a 4-0 shutout victory over the typically high-scoring Edmonton Oilers. The Kings are -131 road favourites against a Buffalo Sabres club that has scored only two goals in their last two games (0-2-0).
