Kings recall six players ahead of elimination game

The Los Angeles Kings made several transactions as they prepare for Saturday’s do-or-die Game 6 against the Edmonton Oilers. The club announced the recall of Lias Andersson, Samuel Helenius, Andre Lee, Jacob Moverare, Jordan Spence and Francesco Pinelli.

The group will likely serve as “Black Aces,” players who practice with the club and experience playoff preparations but don’t actually enter the lineup.

Pinelli, 20, is perhaps the most interesting addition, given he’s coming directly from the OHL. The 2021 second-round pick spent the year with the Kitchener Rangers, scoring 41 goals and 90 points in just 60 regular-season games.

His playoff performance, though strong offensively, left something to be desired. Pinelli was given a three-game suspension for a blindside hit in the first round, leading to his absence in the first two games against the London Knights, longtime rivals that ended up winning both. Kitchener couldn’t recover (despite Pinelli’s first-star performance in game three) and was eliminated last week.

Several of the other names have already made appearances for the Kings this season, though the massive 6-foot-6 Helenius is still waiting for his NHL debut.

Los Angeles will try to stay alive at home and force a Game 7 on Monday.