Photo: Morgan Hancock / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Kings will drop the puck in Australia Friday against the Arizona Coyotes in the first NHL game played in the Southern Hemisphere, part of the Global Series designed to expand the exposure of the league.
The Kings had an open practice at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, site of two scheduled preseason games between the Kings and Coyotes.
The practice drew a group of fans to watch the Kings prepare for the historic game for the NHL.
"I thought our group had some good energy today, and that was the environment, or the atmosphere, that was created by the music, the fans that were here," Kings coach Todd McLellan told NHL.com. "I do believe the players are sensing that a game is coming, so it changes a little bit. We've been here a while, so it's time to play."
The Coyotes open practice was canceled but the team had a workout at O'Brien Icehouse.
The Kings and Coyotes will play two preseason games at Rod Laver Arena on Friday and Saturday in the 2023 NHL Global Series.
The games will start at 9 p.m. and will be broadcast on the NHL Network and ESPN+ in the United States.