The Los Angeles Kings conclude their road trip with a Saturday night battle with the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. The Kings (1-1-1) are just looking for a win, but the story of the game is the return of center Mike Richards to Philadelphia.
The Kings acquired Richards in June for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, and a 2012 second round draft pick. Richards, 26, spent the first six years of his career in Philadelphia, and has averaged 28 goals and 43 assists the last four seasons. "It sounds cliché, but I try not to think about it as much as possible," Richards told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I've tried not to think about it."
Richards isn't the only one facing his old team on Saturday night, as Simmonds gets to battle the team that drafted him in 2007. Simmonds, who played the last three years in Los Angeles, has a goal and an assist so far this season, matching the production of Richards through three games.
"It's my old team, and I have a little bit to prove, but I think it's more that we have to focus on our team game," Simmonds told the Philadelphia Daily News. Simmonds and the Flyers have won each of their first three games.
The Kings and Flyers split two games last season, with each road team earning a victory. The Flyers won in Los Angeles on December 30, and the Kings won 1-0 in Philadelphia on February 13.
Saturday's 4 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more Kings news and information, be sure to read Jewels From the Crown.