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Game 3: Projected Lineups for LA Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

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LA and Edmonton are in sunny Los Angeles for Game 3 of their first round matchup. The two squads find themselves in a best-of-five series now that they are tied at one game a piece. Home ice advantage now shifts to the Kings who would have three games at Crypto.com Arena if the series goes that far. The first two games in Edmonton were almost identical to one another except that LA could not cap off the comeback in Game 2 as they had in Game 1. Both games featured a slow start for LA and a very fast and physical start for Edmonton.

If the Kings want to win this series, they have to come out in the first period playing better hockey. LA was flat out dominated in both games in the opening frame. They have given up a combined four goals in the first period and have yet to strike in the opening 20 minutes. The top priority for LA will be to get off to a good start and get that first goal on home ice. The Kings have yet to have a lead in this series, due to the fact that by the time their legs start moving, the Oilers have already put up two goals in both games.

There are two ways to think about this Kings team headed into Game 3. The first is that we really haven’t seen them play a solid full 60 minutes yet, which could be encouraging since they were able to win Game 1 and were tied going into the third period in Game 2. The other thought process could be the Kings better give a full 60-minute effort here soon, or their season might come to an end much sooner than most anticipated.

One major positive so far is the Kings commitment to playing a disciplined style of hockey to stay out of the box. They have only given the Oilers four power play opportunities through two games, which is a key to success for this team as the series goes on.

The Kings will be without Blake Lizotte who’s out with a lower body injury which means Gabe Vilardi will slot in at center to take his place.  This throws the lines in a tiny blender as who moves up on to the third line with Vilardi and Alex Iafallo.  Our guess based on today’s skate is both Zack MacEwen and Jaret Anderson-Dolan will slot in and Arthur Kaliyev will drop out of the lineup.

LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Edmonton Oilers

Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Vilardi –Grundstrom
MacEwen – Kupari – Anderson-Dolan

Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Edler – Durzi

Korpisalo
Copley

Likely scratches: Kaliyev, Walker, Fiala, Hrenak, Laferriere,

Key Game Info

Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm PST 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 Arthur Kaliyev for this game. Just $1 could win you an autographed puck from an NHL star. Visit their table near aisle M8 on the main concourse for more information.

Across the Ice

Here’s how the Oilers are expected to line up:

On This Day in Kings History

RELATED CONTENT:

Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 154: Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions, Vilardi, and LA vs. Edmonton

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