Ryan Sikes 
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MAY 05: Mikey Anderson #44 of the Los Angeles Kings skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on May 05, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 4-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
In advance of Sunday’s game against the Penguins, the LA Kings placed Mikey Anderson on IR while Matt Roy went into COVID protocol, the team announced.
The @LAKings have made the following player transactions:
Jacob Moverare (D) recalled to the Kings from the taxi squad.
Mikey Anderson (D) placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 29.
Matt Roy (D) placed in COVID protocol.@Enterprise | #PlayersOnTheMove
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) January 30, 2022
In corresponding moves, defensemen Jacob Moverare and Austin Strand are expected to draw into the lineup in Pittsburgh.
Anderson was injured in Saturday’s overtime loss to the Flyers after taking what Kings head coach Todd McLellan called a puck in the “head area.” He did not return for the second period and was officially ruled out.
The 22-year-old is in his second full NHL season and was showing increased offensive capabilities, registering two goals in three games. In 44 games this year, Anderson has two goals and five points.
Roy is one of the Kings most reliable defenseman, and he’ll likely miss the next two games, including Sunday, heading into the All-Star break. If there’s any positive spin to Roy’s departure, the Kings probably couldn’t have asked for a better time in the schedule.
Moverare made his NHL debut against the Predators earlier this month. With the Ontario Reign of the AHL, the 23-year-old has three goals and nine points in 26 games.
Strand played in 13 games with the Kings last season but has has spent most of the this year in Ontario with the logjam at the NHL level. Through 16 AHL games this year, the 24-year-old has two goals and five points.
Kings and Penguins get underway at 10 am PT.