When the Los Angeles Kings face the Edmonton Oilers tonight, they’ll likely still be without some key pieces thanks to injuries.
Perhaps they’re at least starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, though?
Wednesday’s practice saw some key returns, even though Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik and Andy Andreoff were all “demonstrating varying degrees of game readiness,” according to LA Kings Insider.
It was the first time Gaborik’s skated with teammates since getting injured, while Kopitar’s far enough along that he needs to say that he’s unlikely to play against Edmonton.
Does this make things any less “desperate” for a Kings team that’s dropped four in a row? Probably not, but at least this provides the team with a little extra hope.
And, if nothing else, they’re in the thick of things in the surprisingly weak West’s bubble that they might be able to recover once some key players heal up.
(Just don’t expect Jonathan Quick to return anytime soon.)