January 23, 2025 | 10:20am ET
By DenniS Bernstein, TheFourthPeriod.com
DOUGHTY SEASON DEBUT IMMINENT
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Drew Doughty, defenceman
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Kings, locked in a competitive three-way race for the Pacific Division top spot, should receive a major boost on the team’s upcoming road trip.
Star defenseman Drew Doughty, who was injured in Los Angeles’ first preseason game in October, is on track to make his season debut on the trip that takes Los Angeles to Columbus, Detroit, Florida, Tampa and Carolina.
Doughty, who will commence his 17th NHL season upon his return, has had only one full practice with the team. He practiced with the entire squad on Tuesday wearing a “no-contact” jersey but speculation on a return started when he appeared for the Kings’ morning skate in a regular contact jersey on Wednesday prior to their 2-1 victory over the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
Based on post game conversations, expect Drew Doughty to play at some point on Kings 5 game road trip starting Saturday.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) January 23, 2025
Coach Jim Hiller is optimistic that 8 will play before Kings return home Feb 5 v Montreal.
The lack of practice time makes a return more likely during the midpoint of the trip when the Kings play back-to-back games against the Panthers on Jan. 29 and Lightning on Jan. 30.
Despite Doughty’s absence over the first 45 games of the season, the Kings rank second in the NHL in goals against and with their offense staggering of late – they ranked 20th in goals scored and have scored two goals of less in seven of their last eight games. Doughty’s addition stands to help the offense more than the defense.
Los Angeles’ powerplay has staggered all season, presently ranked 29th overall, so the hope is Doughty can help that unit in the early days of his return. He registered seven goals and 13 assists on the powerplay last season and the right-handed shot presence he provides is something the Kings’ powerplay has lacked all season.