Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports
Los Angeles Kings winger Tyler Toffoli is having himself a solid first full season in the NHL, as he is second on the team in goal scoring and playing well beyond his years. The Kings have struggled at times this season, but the ship appears to be righted as the team is looking good and will be a tough out in the playoffs; the former Ottawa 67 is a big reason why. When the Montreal Canadiens invade the Staples Center look for Toffoli to be a big reason why the Kings will get the win against a red-hot Habs team.
Carey Price is having a season for the ages, meaning goals will be at a premium for a Kings team that struggles to score at times. Toffoli and linemate Jeff Carter will be tasked with creating offense off the cycle and peppering Price with high-quality scoring chances. A mixture of quality and quantity is the way to approach shooting on Price as few goalies turn aside shooters as well as the Montreal star.
Price isn’t the player who will make it tough for the Kings to score, as Montreal’s retooled blue line in front of him will force the Kings to battle for every single inch. Former Edmonton Oiler Jeff Petry has been rescued from the trainwreck in Alberta and is adept at sealing off the area around the net. I fully expect Toffoli to take what the defense gives him and move around with and without the puck to put himself in position for some great scoring chances.
The Kings are the reigning champions, and the Canadiens are playing some amazing hockey which puts them on a collision course for each other. I expect the Kings to flex their championship muscle and get the win over the Habs with Toffoli getting at least one goal against the presumptive Vezina Trophy winner. Another win against a quality opponent will set the Kings up for success down the stretch and into the playoffs.
