#LAKings Projected Lineup, Game 10: LA Kings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, Kupari Recalled (MayorsM

Saturday’s mid-day (late afternoon?) game vs. the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs comes with many questions on the LA side. First and foremost, will the Kings players respond to coach Todd McLellan’s recent postgame comments, where he implored them to stop utilizing a run-and-gun style offense?
While that remains to be seen, one thing appears to be certain — forward Quinton Byfield is ill and will sit this one out. He was a late scratch from Thursday’s matchup with Winnipeg and missed practice yesterday, as well.
With Alex Iafallo already on IR, that brings the number of healthy forwards down to 12; in comes Rasmus Kupari. As an extra precaution, he was recalled from AHL Ontario on Saturday morning. He comes in having scored goals for the Reign in three of their past four games. Although he was used at both center and wing last season, he’s played exclusively at center through six games thus far. From what we’ve been able to gather, he will slot in tonight at 3C. In replacing the spot previously held by 6-foot-5 Byfield, Kupari will give them similar size on that line, with the 22-year-old Finn checking in around 6-foot-2.
But, wait, there’s more. As McLellan hinted at when talking about Gabe Vilardi on Thursday night, look for No. 13 to ascend to the top line tonight… followed by a slight reshuffling of the deck.
Without a morning skate, predicting the starting goaltender is a toss-up. Cal Petersen could potentially get the net. This is a Hockey Night in Canada game for those north of the border. Don’t discount that element going into the decision.
Walker could easily return on defense tonight too, after sitting out the past few games. As for rookie Brandt Clarke, the long-term decision has already been made (see liked article below).
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Kempe – Kopitar – Vilardi
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Kupari – Kaliyev
Lemieux – Lizotte – Grundstrom
Anderson – Doughty
Durzi – Roy
Edler – Clarke
Quick
Petersen
Scratches: Anderson-Dolan, Walker
Long-term Injured Reserve: Iafallo
Additional Game Notes
Puck drop is set for 4:00pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports.
For Toronto, they’ll counter LA’s chrome helmet look with their own specialty get-up, as the Leafs will be wearing their Justin Bieber inspired black jerseys. Not many teams have ever worn black jerseys to face the Kings in Downtown LA.

Toronto will go with Ilya Samsonov between the pipes. Here’s a look at the rest of their lineup, including former Kings fan favorite Wayne Simmonds at right wing:
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https://mayorsmanor.com/2022/10/proj...pari-recalled/