As they prepared to host the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Kings were confident following their recent games, but were significantly less sure about which players might be available for them in Saturday’s showdown.

Their streak of four consecutive games with at least one point was interrupted by 4-2 loss Thursday against Vancouvera game that both teams described as offering playoff intensity in early November. In that contest, the Kings lost two players: winger Tanner Jeannot to a match penalty and defenseman Mikey Anderson to a gruesome upper-body injury that left him facedown on the ice, blood leaking from his head.

Coach Jim Hiller told reporters Friday that Anderson was “feeling good” and that the club was “optimistic” about his status, perhaps even for Saturday’s game.

This update follows the news that Alex Turcotte’s upper body injury was not the third serious concussion of his young professional career and that Arthur Kaliyev (broken collarbone) had stepped up his participation, although than under the same non-contact jersey worn by Turcotte.

Jeannot, on the other hand, was suspended for three games after a telephone hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety to discuss his hit on Canucks winger and Kings killer Brock Boeser in the first period that left Boeser with a probable head injury and no clear outcome. timetable for his return.

Hiller said after the Vancouver game that he did not expect Jeannot to be suspended, calling the illegal head check – which could also have been called a charge or interference – an “instant reaction “. The league obviously disagreed.

No matter which group the Kings –– they are also missing top defenseman Drew Doughty (broken ankle) since the start of the preseason –– hits the ice against Columbus, they will have the consistency of having dominated the Blue Jackets historically (39-21). -1-6), including victories in three straight meetings and five of the last six.

Columbus managed a .500 points percentage despite low expectations and the weight of tragically losing their best winger, Johnny Gaudreau, after he and his brother Matthew were killed by a drunk driver during the offseason.