PREVIEW: New(er)-look LA Kings host Stars (7p, FOX Sports West)
7p: FOX SPORTS GO
When the Dallas Stars meet the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night at Staples Center, they will be facing a different team than the one that defeated them in their lone matchup this season.
Over the last eight days, Los Angeles general manager Rob Blake has made significant changes to his roster for the stretch run for a postseason berth.
Los Angeles (33-22-5) will welcome winger Tobias Rieder and goaltender Scott Wedgewood to the lineup after Blake executed a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday afternoon. Backup goaltender Darcy Kuemper was shipped to Arizona for the pair in a deal that saw the Coyotes retain 15 percent of Rieder's $2.25 million salary. Wedgewood and Rieder will be restricted free agents at season's end and the Kings will retain their rights.
https://www.foxsports.com/west/story/tobias-rieder-scott-wedgewood-los-angeles-kings-trade-darcy-kuemper-to-arizona-coyotes-022118
"We continue to look for opportunities to improve our team speed and Tobias will bring that dynamic to our club," Blake said.
Last week, the Kings added defenseman Dion Phaneuf and center Nate Thompson from the Ottawa Senators to stabilize their defense and depth forward positions. Los Angeles also announced Wednesday that center Jeff Carter, who has missed all but six games this season because of ankle tendon surgery, has been medically cleared to rejoin the team. He is not expected to face the Stars and will likely return Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.
On the ice, the Kings enter the game with a three-game winning streak that closed a successful seven-game road trip (4-3-0). Alec Martinez registered a goal and an assist and Kuemper made 30 saves in their 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
Los Angeles defeated Dallas (34-22-4) 3-0 on Jan. 30, getting three goals from their defensive corps in Drew Doughty, Paul LaDue and Martinez.
