Kings’ Corey Perry Makes Comeback After Leave

The Los Angeles Kings have officially welcomed back forward Corey Perry to their lineup for Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. Perry’s return follows a leave of absence due to a family illness, during which he missed two games.

Kings’ Roster Moves

The Kings made notable roster adjustments to facilitate Perry’s comeback:

• Corey Perry has been activated from non-roster designation.
• Anze Kopitar has been placed on injured reserve (IR).
• Cole Guttman has been loaned to the Ontario Reign.

Perry’s presence is much needed, as the Kings faced defeats in both games during his absence. They lost 4-3 in overtime to the San Jose Sharks and fell 5-1 to the Winnipeg Jets.

Perry’s Performance and Lineup Expectations

Corey Perry is set to contribute on the second line alongside teammates Alex Laferriere and Taylor Ward. This line has yet to play together this season. Perry has demonstrated strong performance this year, tallying nine goals and 12 assists, totaling 21 points across 35 games.

Earlier this season, Perry missed six games due to a knee injury but has excelled since returning. His experience and scoring ability are critical as the Kings strive to improve their standings.

Kopitar’s Injury Situation

To accommodate Perry, Anze Kopitar has been placed on injured reserve. The Kings’ captain has also missed two games due to a lower-body injury sustained during a 4-2 victory against the Minnesota Wild. Unless Kopitar’s IR status is retroactive to Monday, it is anticipated that he will miss at least the next four games.

Kopitar’s current season has been challenging, as he has recorded only six goals and 15 assists for a total of 21 points in 37 games. This performance places him below his usual standard, risking his streak of finishing above 50 points in a season over his 20-year NHL career.

Guttman’s Assignment

In a related move, the Kings have assigned forward Cole Guttman to their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Although Guttman didn’t participate in any NHL games, he has made an impact in the AHL, scoring nine goals and providing 14 assists for 23 points across 31 games.

Kings’ Current Standing

As the Kings prepare to face the Oilers, they sit in fifth place in the Pacific Division, holding an 18-15-10 record. They are just one point behind the Utah Mammoth for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Los Angeles aims to recover from their recent losses and secure a vital victory against Edmonton on Saturday at 7 p.m. PST.