Alex Iafallo was the Game 1 hero for LA on Monday night, scoring an overtime winner on the power-play. Although it didn’t reach the same shock/comeback level as the ‘Miracle on Manchester,’ it surely was monumental, considering the Kings were trailing 3-1 with around eight minutes remaining in regulation. Stealing Game 1 — on the road, no less — could be huge for the confidence of both clubs. What does it actually mean? We’re about to find out in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Look for Edmonton to play a more disciplined game in an attempt to even the series before things move to Los Angeles over the weekend. The Oilers took too many penalties against a Kings power-play that is far more dangerous than it was just one year ago. Last season, after also dropping Game 1, Edmonton fired back for eight goals in Game 2, crushing the Kings 8-2 at Rogers Place. LA cannot afford to let up at all this time around. In fact, they will need to be much sharper if they want to find more success in this series.
On the plus side, the Kings are expected to get an emotional boost with the return of forward Gabe Vilardi to the lineup. He arrived in Canada on Monday and practiced with the team in a regular colored jersey on Tuesday; all pointing to him winding up on the third line, skating alongside Iafallo and center Blake Lizotte. He will also most likely rejoin the top power play unit.
What’s less clear thus far, is what that means for LA’s fourth line. McLellan will need to decide who he plays at RW4, to round out a line with Carl Grundstrom and Rasmus Kupari. Dropping Arthur Kaliyev down from where he was (filling in for Vilardi at RW3) is the most obvious choice. However, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Zack MacEwen remain viable alternatives, as well.
Defensively speaking, Sean Durzi will be on the third pair, as he was Monday. Will he play with Alex Edler again or be joined by Sean Walker instead? It’s One of the many topics explored on all new Kings Of The Podcast episode:
Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 153: Predictions, Vilardi, and LA vs. Edmonton
Joonas Korpisalo made 37 saves on Monday, giving him his first playoff victory in a Kings sweater. He will look to make it two in a row tonight.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Edmonton Oilers
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Lizotte – Vilardi
Grundstrom – Kupari – Kaliyev (or 28/17)
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Durzi – Walker
Korpisalo
Copley
Likely scratches: Anderson-Dolan, Edler, Fiala, Hrenak, Laferriere, MacEwen,
Original plan was to have Erik Portillo up with the Kings to serve as a Black Ace. For now, that role will go to David Hrenak, who is being recalled from ECHL Greenville.
The former @SCSUHuskies_MH standout put up a 22-13-5 record with a .903 SV in his year of pro hockey. pic.twitter.com/ADbyaBwhyo
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) April 16, 2023
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Across the Ice
Edmonton lost Game 1 of the series by a final score of 4-3 in overtime.
Here’s how the Oilers are expected to line up:
More to come…
Janmark not on ice for full practice. I saw him limping after game one. He blocked this shot last game off inside of his right foot. Won’t be surprised it is related to that and he won’t play tonight. I’d expect EDM to go 11-7. pic.twitter.com/itg0U2Vk8w
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 19, 2023
On This Day in Kings History
On April 19, 2010, Drew Doughty scored his first career playoff goal and recorded four points in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals versus Vancouver. Michal Handzus scored two goals and Jack Johnson had three assists in a 5-3 win for the @LAKings.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/bB8sVBijlC
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) April 19, 2023
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Edler look like he was hurt in the 3rd and struggling to keep up.