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Los Angeles Kings Get Drew Doughty Back Against Panthers

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Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, pictured here on Jan. 21, 2023, in Nashville, returns to the lineup tonight against the Panthers after missing the first 47 games this season. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Los Angeles Kings will get star defenseman Drew Doughty back tonight when they visit the Florida Panthers.



Doughty, the 2016 Norris Trophy winner, has missed the entirety of the season after fracturing his left ankle in a September preseason game.

With Doughty skating the past couple of days, it was assumed he would come back either tonight against the Panthers or Thursday in Tampa.

Paul Maurice said the Panthers were prepping for Doughty to return to the lineup.

Los Angeles beat the Panthers 2-1 last Wednesday night after scoring twice in the third period.

Florida has since added Aaron Ekblad to its lineup.

Los Angeles is 7-0-1 against the Panthers in the past eight meetings.

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“We’re optimistic for him,’’ Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller said of Doughty.

“He has not played in a long time, so, we don’t want to overplay him. But we probably will, coaches tend to do that. We want to keep the expectations realistic for him, it’s going to take a little time for him to get into form. But we’re happy. We’re starting the process.”

Doughty playing in all 82 games for the Kings last season, scoring 15 goals with 50 points.

The Kings could be without Kevin Fiala who missed morning skate with an illness.

Hiller said Fiala would be a game-time decision.

Fiala, who has 29 points off 16 goals this season, had the primary assist on the winning goal last Wednesday.

Samuel Helenius, who tied the score at 1 Wednesday with his first NHL goal, was sent back to AHL Ontario to make room for Doughty on the active roster. 

ON DECK: GAME No. 52
LOS ANGELES KINGS at FLORIDA PANTHERS

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