Through three games, the Kings-Oilers series has lived up to the drama and intensity normally associated with the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two of the three contests have gone to overtime, there have been penalties galore, and rabid fanbases taking to social media on both sides of the outcomes have only added continual fuel to an already raging fire. It’s been intensity and entertainment personified. Coming off of Trevor Moore’s overtime goal in Game 3 on Friday night, the Kings currently lead the series 2-1 and are looking more and more dangerous as things progress along.
LA put together their best performance thus far in Game 3, where they came out and immediately killed off a penalty taken by Phil Danault in the neutral zone. Then, for the first time in the series, they scored the game’s first goal when Alex Iafallo buried a rebound in the final minute of the opening frame.
You can’t keep Connor McDavid off the score sheet forever; LA found that out Friday when he sniped two power play goals in the span of 30 seconds. That was all Edmonton could muster in Game 3, though, thanks to the strong play of Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. His team is playing strong defense in front of him, as well. The Kings have shut down all of the Oilers secondary forwards such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Evander Kane (ed. note – more on him down below). They haven’t been able to generate much of anything 5v5, which has contributed to LA’s success over the trio of games already played.
from LAK AM skate:
– Fiala red no-contact jersey but skater with main group
– Lizotte red no-contact jersey skated after main group— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) April 23, 2023
There might be some reinforcements coming to aid LA pretty soon. Kevin Fiala skated this morning in a red non-contact jersey and will skate in warmups later this evening. He is believed to be close to making his return from a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, center Blake Lizotte was not on the ice with the main group today, yet he did skate afterward. While a return from Fiala feels closer than Lizotte, coach Todd McLellan will take whatever he can get at this time of the year. Before puck drop, McLellan will need to make a decision on Fiala, as well as who rounds out the fourth line. There won’t be room for Arthur Kaliyev, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Zack MacEwen. At least one will have to sit out as a healthy scratch.
We have goodies!
First 10 fans who stop by to say hi at the media elevators (behind section 112), can pick up a free MM koozie or a sticker. pic.twitter.com/RgUz1Iw6wz
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) April 23, 2023
For your pregame listening pleasure…
Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 155: Gane 4 Preview with LA Roster Notes, Edmonton Opinions, Fiala Updateshttps://t.co/CzsH8KEs2A#GoKingsGo #Oilers #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/wGpACpWoDH
— MayorsManor.com Staff (@MayorsManor) April 23, 2023
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Edmonton Oilers
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Vilardi – Iafallo
Anderson-Dolan – Kupari – Grundstrom
(Updated in warm-ups)
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Edler – Durzi
Korpisalo
Copley
Likely scratches: Kaliyev, MacEwen, Walker
Black Aces: Bjornfot, Laferriere, Petersen
And so it begins…
Toby Bjornfot and Cal Petersen have been officially recalled from AHL Ontario (as Black Aces).
And David Hrenak returned to ECHL Greenville.
More to come… https://t.co/Ij5hNeOwFk
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) April 23, 2023
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 6:00 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 Alex Iafallo 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:
Nugent-Hopkins – McDavid – Hyman
Kane – Draisaitl – Yamamoto
Foegele – McLeod – Ryan
Kostin – Bjugstad – Shore
Nurse – Ceci
Ekholm – Bouchard
Kulak – Desharnais
Skinner
Campbell
NOTE: Evander Kane did not participate at morning skate, yet is likely to play in Game 4. Or, maybe not…
🔁 #Oilers roster moves 🔁
🔹 Forward Dylan Holloway has been recalled from the @Condors
🔸 Goaltender Olivier Rodrigue has also been recalled from Bakersfield#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/XVUHLuUh5d— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 23, 2023
On This Day in Kings History
On April 23, 2001, the @LAKings eliminated the Detroit Red Wings by winning 3-2 in Game 6 of the quarterfinal round. Adam Deadmarsh scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, and advanced the #LAKings to face his former team, the Colorado Avalanche.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/hJmMSQIsaI
— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) April 23, 2023
RELATED CONTENT:
Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 154: Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions, Vilardi, and LA vs. Edmonton
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