The Kings recalled defenseman Kevin Gravel from the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. Gravel’s addition likely means Alec Martinez won’t play in Game 2 of the Kings’ first-round playoff series against the San Jose Sharks. Martinez played 11:43 in the first two periods of Game 1 on Thursday, a 4-3 victory by the Sharks. He didn’t play in the third period, however.
The Kings on Tuesday assigned forward Nic Dowd and defenseman Kevin Gravel to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. Neither was expected to play with the Kings during the Stanley Cup playoffs. They will be counted on with the Reign during the upcoming Calder Cup playoffs, however.
KINGS AT CANUCKS
Faceoff: 7 p.m.
TV/Radio: FSW / 790-AM
Update: The Kings (46-27-5) play the first of their final two road games of the regular season Monday at Vancouver. Then they play Tuesday at Calgary before returning to Staples Center for what looms as a potential Pacific Division championship-deciding game against the Ducks. The Kings recalled defenseman Kevin Gravel from the the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League in order to bolster their ranks for the trip. The Kings have a number of defensemen who are bruised and battered, although not too seriously. Gravel was scoreless in four games with the Kings earlier this season. He has seven goals and 20 points and a plus-4 defensive rating in 55 games for the Reign this season. A victory tonight would give the Kings a franchise record for wins in a season. The Canucks are 29-36-13, sixth in the Pacific. They were eliminated from postseason contention last month, but have consecutive wins over the playoff-bound Sharks and Ducks.
The Kings assigned defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League on Thursday, after he cleared waivers earlier in the day. They also recalled defenseman Kevin Gravel from Ontario to take Ehrhoff’s spot on the roster and summoned Reign goalie Peter Budaj on an emergency recall.
Budaj was recalled to serve as a backup to Jhonas Enroth after Jonathan Quick suffered an injury during the Kings’ 9-2 victory Tuesday over the Boston Bruins. Quick was said to be day-to-day, but Thursday was not his day. The 33-year-old Budaj led the AHL with 26 victories, a 1.58 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage and eight shutouts.
Gravel, 23, was called up to the NHL for the first time. The former St. Cloud State standout had 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 42 games for the Reign.
Kings defenseman Christian Ehrhoff cleared waivers Thursday at 9 a.m., and that wasn’t a big surprise. The Kings could send him to the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, clearing the way to recall defenseman Kevin Gravel.
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