Tonight the Los Angeles Kings will host the Edmonton Oilers. Puck-drop at Staples Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST.
The Kings enter tonight’s game needed two points. Desperately.
L.A. is coming off tough back-to-back losses to the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks. The losses ended a five-game road-trip for the Kings.
The Kings are 2 points behind the Winnipeg Jets for a Wild-Card spot, and 3 points behind the Calgary Flames for the third playoff spot in the Pacific Division.
The Oilers enter tonight’s game after losing 5-1 to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night. The Oilers were successful beating out the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 on Monday.
In the previous three meetings the Kings are 2-0-1 this season. Over that stretch L.A. has outscored the Oilers 13-6.
Let’s keep the trend rolling.
The Kings lineup is expected to be:
Forwards:
Los Angeles Kings
Marian Gaborik – Anze Kopitar – Justin Williams
Dwight Kings – Jeff Carter – Tyler Toffoli
Dustin Brown – Jarett Stoll- Trevor Lewis
Kyle Clifford – Nick Shore – Jordan Nolan
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Robyn Regehr – Alec Martinez
Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene
Goaltenders:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick should get the start tonight. L.A. needs to win that bad. They can’t afford to take their foot off the gas pedal.
According to L.A. Kings Insider Jon Rosen Andrej Sekera did not participate in today’s morning skate. In his place Brayden McNabb will re-enter the lineup. McNabb is expected to skate with Matt Greene.
McNabb has 1 goal and 22 assists in 65 games this season. McNabb is also a +8 plus/minus.
It appears that Jarret Stoll is healthy enough to make his return tonight. Stoll is expected to line up in his usual place: the third line center. Stoll will be between Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis.
Stoll has been out since March 12th after suffering an upper-body injury in the Kings 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Stoll brings a physical presence and depth down the middle. Stoll will help Brown and Lewis to crash the net and tire opponents out by working the puck down-low.
Oil On Whyte
Edmonton players to watch out for:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been one of our players to watch for in previous matchups. It’s because he’s one of the few Oiler players that’s having a successful season.
Nugent-Hopkins leads the team in goals with 24, and is second in points with 56 in 75 games. Nugent-Hopkins has 2 goals and 3 points in his last five games.
Taylor Hall is the Oilers best players. In only 48 games Hall is third on the team in points. Hall has 13 goals, 35 points and 3 power-play goals on the season.
Hall has a dangerous shot and he always plays hard. He’s a battler, and he’s been with Edmonton long enough to get used to their lackluster season performances. Hall will be playing for pride. Keep an eye on him, he’ll be buzzing around all night.
Former Kings goaltender Ben Scrivens is expected to start in goal for the Oilers. Scrivens has a 3.03 goals against average and a .894 save percentage.
Hopefully Scrivens former Kings teammates remember some of his weaknesses.
The opponent isn’t the most intimidating, but this is a game the Kings need to win.
If L.A. plays down to the Oilers level they could be in trouble. If the Kings are able to jump out to an early lead they will be fine. Allowing Edmonton to linger and stay in the game is living in the danger zone.
It’s only Edmonton, but L.A. can’t look past them. This is a defining game the Kings need to win.
Go Kings Go!
Next: Is the L.A. Kings Remaining Schedule Playoff Friendly?
Mar 3, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings left winger Kyle Clifford (13) knocks in the rebound for the goal as Oilers players fly into Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens (30) in the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports