Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan announced that defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov will miss tomorrow night’s game against the Winnipeg Jets and is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Gavrikov was injured in Sunday night’s game against the New York Rangers; he logged seven shifts and 6:36 minutes of ice time.
The night prior, he took a knee-on-knee hit from New York Islanders captain Anders Lee. He left the game briefly but did return.
Gavrikov has tallied three goals and six assists for nine points in 23 games. He has racked up 34 blocked shots and 12 hits while averaging 20:32 of ice time while playing on the second pairing with Matt Roy.
The Russian defender signed a two-year, $11,750,000 million extension with the Kings prior to the 2023-24 season. The contract carries an average annual value of $5.875 million.
In Gavrikov’s absence, defenseman Jacob Moverare will slot into the lineup and make his season debut. The 25-year-old has tallied five points in 16 games with the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL). Moverare has played a total of 21 games over the span of two seasons with the Kings, primarily spending time in the AHL. In 21 games, the Swede has tallied two assists.
Meanwhile, McLellan also announced that forward Arthur Kaliyev is questionable for tomorrow as he has flu-like symptoms. Kaliyev has tallied six goals and six assists for 12 points in 23 games this season.
Defenseman Toby Bjornfot will finish his conditioning loan with the Reign and the Kings will evaluate the situation after tomorrow, before Saturday in Seattle, according to Kings editorial manager Zach Dooley.
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