Kings-Ducks on Saturday night could be a playoff preview. If anything, it's a measuring-stick game for each team, the Kings winners of eight of nine and the Ducks snapping a four-game losing streak Friday night. "Nothing against the teams we've played but they haven't put up the points that a team like Anaheim has," Willie Mitchell said. "Toronto was a step in that direction. It was a game we lost. They didn't catch us by surprise by any means. I just think that we didn't play a solid 60 minutes, and playing against Anaheim we're going to have to play a solid 60 minutes to win the hockey game. That's just a given. Those games are going to be key for us just getting into the playoffs to win those games, and also just getting ready for the playoffs."

Willie Mitchell netted his first goal of the season in Monday's loss to Boston. The defensive defenseman has five points and a plus-11 rating in 45 games this year. Jeff Carter also scored for the Kings in the contest to give him four points in his past four outings.

Willie Mitchell has more or less met Kings coach Darryl Sutter's expectations. Sutter is factoring in that Mitchell is 36 years old and missed the entire 2013-14 campaign. He has four assists and 42 penalty minutes in 43 games this season. He's also logging 20:25 minutes per contest, which is only marginally below his career average.

Willie Mitchell is in the lineup for the Kings on Saturday night. The rearguard had been dealing with an upper-body injury. He has not played since Dec. 14. Mitchell has four assists on the season, and he's averaging 20:06 of ice time. Daniel Carcillo, Matt Frattin and Colin Fraser are the scratches against the Predators

Defenseman Willie Mitchell (upper body) was back practicing with the Kings on Friday and could be in their lineup when they play in Nashville today. Mitchell suffered his injury at Ottawa on the Kings' last trip.

Willie Mitchell's upper-body injury isn't a concussion. Mitchell left Saturday's game due to the ailment, but he took part in Wednesday's optional practice. "It's really encouraging," Mitchell said. "Hopefully tomorrow it'll just keep progressing." He has four assists in 33 games in 2013-14.

Willie Mitchell may have suffered a concussion on Saturday. He didn't play in the third period because of what was described as an "upper-body injury" following a hit from Chris Neil. Mitchell didn't skate or play Sunday because he felt ill and coach Darryl Sutter referenced the hit he took on Saturday as the cause. Mitchell could be suffering from concussion-like symptoms.

The Los Angeles Kings will be without rugged defenseman Willie Mitchell against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. Mitchell isn't an obvious fantasy threat, although he does fill up peripheral categories with 28 PIM, 43 hits and 56 blocked shots. His loss is more likely to be felt in subtle ways, as shutting down the Blackhawks will be that much tougher. Matt Greene takes his place in the lineup.

Willie Mitchell has averaged 22:48 minutes per game after missing the 2013 campaign due to a knee injury. "Yeah, it is encouraging," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "Let's touch wood on it, but I think he's gotten better and been really solid." Mitchell won't end up being owned in many standard leagues as he doesn't do a ton offensively, but he's a big part of the Kings' defense.

Willie Mitchell logged 24:28 minutes in his first regular season game since suffering a knee injury. Mitchell missed the entire 2013 season, but the Kings clearly intend to lean on him as much as they used to. He had a blocked shot and two penalty minutes in the Kings' 3-2 shootout win over Minnesota.