LA Kings at Vancouver Canucks Preview: Projected Lineups, Key Points, and More

The Los Angeles Kings look to snap their two-game losing streak with a matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.

Look Back at the Last Matchup

The Kings and Canucks met in LA back in November, with the Kings dropping that one 4-2. Quinton Byfield and Vladislav Gavrikov scored for LA, with Darcy Kuemper suffering the loss. On the Vancouver side, Quinn Hughes took over, collecting two points in the win. Kevin Lankinen stopped 26 of 28 in the victory.

Key points against the Vancouver Canucks

1. Bounce Back Factor

The Kings have dropped two games in a row just three times this year. These small losing streaks have been matched with success as the Kings have rattled off wins in two of the instances, including the most recent five-game winning streak.

When looking at the most recent streak, you go to the word statement. After losing back-to-back games to end their roadtrip, the Kings collected a 4-3 win over the Oilers. When looking at tonight, you have another chance at a statement win. Against a struggling divisional opponent who sits outside of the playoff bracket, you have the chance to gain some key ground in the standings, while hurting the Canucks playoff chances.

Look for that hopeful statement type of win tonight in Vancouver.

2. LA's Recent Success in Rogers Arena

The Kings have seen their fair share of success in this building as of late, winners of the last three matchups here.

Across those three matchups, the Kings have outscored Vancouver 12-4, including a 5-1 victory last season. Kevin Fiala led the way for the Kings in those games, collecting four points. Over the course of his Kings career, Fiala has six points in six games against the Canucks.

This recent trend of success bodes nicely for LA when factoring in Vancouver's play on home ice this season. The Canucks are 7-8-6 on home ice, collecting just 20 of a possible 42 points on home ice. The Canucks carry a -14 goal differential while only getting an .870 save percentage from their goaltenders.

Vancouver is the perfect place for the Kings to put an end to their losing streak and offensive woes as of late.

3. Physical Presence

No Western Conference NHL team has more hits thrown this season than the Vancouver Canucks. Led by the league hit leader, Kieffer Sherwood, the Canucks and head coach Rick Tocchet play a game that really grinds down their opponents.

Sherwood's third line sees him joined alongside Danton Heinen and Pius Suter, giving the Canucks some size, skill, and speed in their top 9. With this, look for Jim Hiller to match his physical line with the trio of Jeannot, Byfield, and Foegele. The three were reunited in Edmonton and skated alongside each other at practice yesterday, a change fans were wanting since the return of Trevor Moore.

We have seen their ability to simply takeover games when using their size, with tonight hopefully being the same.

LA Kings Lineup Notes

Alex Laferriere did not practice yesterday and will not play tonight, per Kings Insider Zach Dooley. Both Samuel Helenius and Akil Thomas are options to slide back in alongside of Trevor Lewis as the other bottom forward in the 11/7 setup. Here is how the Kings looked against Edmonton:

Look Across the Ice at the Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks are coming off an ugly 6-1 loss in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Here is how they lined up in that one:

The Canucks are led offensively by arguably the NHL's top defenseman, Quinn Hughes. Vancouver's captain sits with 47 points across 39 games played this season. When looking at the Canucks forward core, Conor Garland is the only player at the 30-point or higher mark. Off-season acquisition Jake DeBrusk leads the team with 17 goals.

With Kevin Lankinen suffering that ugly loss on Tuesday, look for Vancouver to turn to California native Thatcher Demko. Demko has spent much of the season on IR and has not been himself when healthy. In the eight games he has appeared in, Demko is 2-2-3, with an .883 save percentage and a goals against average of 3.17.

When looking at Vancouver's injuries, they will be without forward Dakota Joshua, who is a major part of that physical brand of hockey we mentioned above.

How to Tune In

Tonight's puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. PST and 10:00 p.m. EST and is available to watch on FanDuel Sports Network West. The pregame show will begin 30 minutes prior. An audio-only feed is available on the ESPN LA App. Go Kings Go!