While the series is tied at two games, this feels very much like a must-win for the Los Angeles Kings. If they were to lose this game, they would be heading back to Edmonton facing an elimination game, and if the two games on the road in this series are an indication, it seems likely that the series will end on Thursday.
Over the past three games, head coach Jim Hiller has made some slight changes to the lineup in each game. In Game 2, it was having seven defensemen active, in Game 3 it was going back to six defensemen while Trevor Lewis replaced Alex Turcotte and then the last game it was Jacob Moverare replacing Jordan Spence on defense.
However, according to Eric Stephens the Kings look to be going back to their lineup from Game 1 with Alex Turcotte and Jordan Spence back on the ice.
Los Angeles Kings need to find some balance for minutes across all their lines for Game 5
On Tuesday, I detailed three changes the Los Angeles Kings need to make before this game and the first was getting Turcotte and Spence back in the lineup. It is great to see that change made because both bring more to the Kings than Trevor Lewis and Jacob Moverare respectively.
However, the next step is to spread out the minutes a little bit more and not put so much pressure on his top lines. Turcotte played in only one game this series and had 4:13 of ice time, while Spence has appeared in three games and not played more than nine minutes in a game, and in Game 3, it was only 2:55.
The Los Angeles Kings are facing a crucial game and it is great to see they will have the best possible lineup on the ice for the game against the Edmonton Oilers.