Projected Lineups – LA Kings at Edmonton Oilers; Division Standings Up For Grabs

With the Kings and Oilers fighting for Division supremacy, it’s like the early ’90s all over again. And while the Kings have been one of the league’s hottest teams since mid-December, here’s something interesting to think about…

EDM has the best record in the league since the last time it met LA (Jan. 9).

Skinner starts—he can break the Oiler record for most wins in a month with his 10th tonight…Likewise, expect same lineup vs Kings (11/7). @GenePrincipe & @LouDeBrusk join me on @Sportsnet at 7 MT. pic.twitter.com/pZEWv7YLzu

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) March 30, 2023

That game referenced from early January was a 6-3 Kings victory in Los Angeles. Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala each had a pair of goals that night. While the majority of LA’s players will be the same for Thursday night’s rematch, several are either gone or not expected to play — included Brendan Lemieux, Alex Edler, and Jaret Anderson-Dolan. Plus, Gabe Vilardi is sidelined with an injury.

Then there’s the goaltending…

Indications are, coach Todd McLellan may be moving away from his goaltending rotation. Joonas Korpisalo is scheduled to start in net tonight, marking his first back-to-back start since joining the team. With games both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, it’s fair to assume Pheonix Copley would get one of those games. On the most recent Kings Of The Podcast episode, hosts John Hoven and Dennis Bernstein shared some opinions regarding how McLellan may use his goalies down the stretch — if you missed it, listen here.

LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Edmonton Oilers

Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Lizotte – Moore
Grundstrom – Kupari – MacEwen / Kaliyev

Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Walker – Durzi

Korpisalo
Copley

Scratches: Anderson-Dolan, Edler Vilardi + one of Kaliyev/MacEwen

Key Game Info

Puck drop is set for 6:00 pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports.

Across the Ice

In their last game played, the Oilers claimed a big 7-4 victory in Las Vegas on Tuesday night.

Here’s how Edmonton is expected to lineup up for that one:

Tonight has a look of 11 & 7. Here’s what Oilers look like in warmup:

RNH-McDavid-Hyman
Kane-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Foegele-Bjugstad-Janmark
Kostin-Shore-Ryan

Nurse-Ceci
Ekholm-Bouchard
Kulak-Desharnais
Broberg

Skinner@LouDeBrusk joins me for the call on @Sportsnet at 8 MT. pic.twitter.com/6jE7fU632A

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) March 29, 2023

The last time EDM met LA was an anomaly—Oil gave up 4 PPG while going 0-for-6.

EDM didn’t go quietly—Hyman/Kostin fought in 3rd period & team showed real spirit, even in defeat.

Five regulation losses in 33 games since.

2nd place at stake in rematch tomorrow on @Sportsnet.

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) March 30, 2023

On This Day in Kings History

On March 30, 1994, the @LAKings honored Wayne Gretzky for becoming the NHL's all-time leader in goals before a home game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Team owner Bruce McNall surprised Gretzky with a Rolls Royce with a license plate that read, "GOAL 802."#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/saPkeXDxx3

— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) March 30, 2023