Kings' Viktor Arvidsson out for Game 1 against Oilers

Los Angeles Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson sat out Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers with an undisclosed injury, says The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Monday morning, Kings head coach Todd McLellan said Arvidsson would likely not play. Though Arvidsson’s status was not officially confirmed, he was notably absent from warmups in Edmonton.

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 Monday, 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 from the Nashville Predators in July in exchange for a 2021 second and a 2022 third round draft pick.