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Coming off a disastrous showing on home ice in Game Three, LA will look to even up the series tonight at two a piece. Not much went right for the Kings on Friday night. They were dominated for 60 minutes, the power play continued to be a non-factor, and the big guns on the Oilers roster exposed the penalty kill. Still, it was just one game and LA is more than capable of returning the favor tonight at Crypto.com Arena.
Head coach Jim Hiller has some critical decisions to make heading into Sunday night. The series is at the point now where LA needs to throw everything they have at Edmonton after being outmatched in two of the three contests thus far. Forward combinations have been in a blender at times, yet no matter who is in the bottom six, they’re not helping.
If LA is going to have any chance of coming back in the series, Kevin Fiala and Pierre-Luc Dubois need to be better. Although they each have one goal they both have been rather quiet, despite getting easier matchups while playing down in the lineup. The Kings rely on Fiala to be a difference-maker every shift. He has the ability to take over and unfortunately has yet to put that on display through three games.
Then there’s the goaltending. It was a question mark during training camp and continues to be a frequent topic of discussion. All of the blame does not rest at the crease of Cam Talbot. He is not solely responsible for the Kings lack of success so far in the postseason, but he’s surrendered 16 goals in three games. The defense has not helped out in that regard, as Talbot has been left out to dry far too many times. Hiller will now turn to David Rittich heading into Sunday.
Statistically Speaking
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Oilers
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Dubois – Laferriere
Lewis – Lizotte – Grundstrom
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Spence
Rittich (starter)
Talbot
Likely scratches: Kaliyev, Moverare
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by Bally Sports.
For those live in attendance, the LA Kings Booster Club will offer their popular ‘Puck for a Buck’ contest — featuring Drew Doughty for this game. Just $1 could win you an autographed puck from an NHL star. Visit their table outside sections 317-318 on the upper concourse for more information.
LA Royal Army, another fan support group, has a booth outside section 303. They do watch parties and other fun activities. Stop by and check them out.
Across the Ice
Here is how Edmonton is expected to line up for tonight’s contest:
Henrique – McDavid – Hyman
RNH – Draisaitl – Foegele
Kane – McLeod – Perry
Holloway – Carrick – Janmark
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Ceci
Kulak – Desharnais
Skinner
Pickard
On This Day in Kings History
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