Los Angeles Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson will miss Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers tonight with an undisclosed injury, says The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun (link). The news is surprising, as just this morning, Kings Head Coach Todd McLellan said there was a good chance Arvidsson would play tonight.
What exactly the nature of Arvidsson’s injury is remains unclear, however he did miss the Kings’ final regular season game on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The forward did play on Wednesday, recording a normal-for-him 16:53 of time-on-ice in the game, but has not been able to play since. This isn’t Arvidsson’s first injury this season, missing time in early March with a lower-body injury.
Going without Arvidsson will be a challenge for the Kings tonight, as he ranked fourth on the team in points this season with 49 while playing in only 66 games. A well-rounded group, the Kings should be able to draw on the rest of their roster to make up for what they have lost in Arvidsson. Los Angeles acquired the 29-year-old in July in exchange for a second and third round draft pick.
Ouch!!!!! No Drew Doughty and this hurts.
Hope he is read_ to go for game 2.