Kings vs Kraken Game 21: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Todd McLellan sent a message last night. 

"For as much as you want to always want to keep your team together and not separate it, I thought there were some individuals who let us down tonight rather than the group as a whole. Sometimes you have to play the game a certain way. It may not be the way you like. It may not be cute. But that's the way you have to play. And we had some that couldn't accept that or didn't want to, and I believe that cost us." 

We still don't know who those individuals are, but I'm sure they know. And I'd expect some changes in the lineup tonight. 

After a strong performance Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings came out slow against the Vancouver Canucks and couldn't recover Friday. If they follow the same pattern tonight against the Seattle Kraken, it will be a long game.

It's hard to guess what changes McLellan will make tonight with no morning practice to give us an indication, but there are plenty of areas that need change. 

The "top-line" of Adrian Kempe-Anze Kopitar-Gabe Vilardi has gone ice cold recently and could use a shakeup. The Alex Edler-Sean Walker pairing was a negative two last night. And there's whoever McLellan called out post-game. Lias Andersson or Jacob Moverare will likely draw in tonight, if not both. 

Outside of individual errors, the team needs to find its structure again. They didn't stick to their system and didn't play to their "identity." If the Kings forecheck well and clog up the neutral zone, it will be a good night. If not, I'd expect a 1-3 road trip.

Expected Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Adrian Kempe-Anze Kopitar-Gabe Vilardi

Trevor Moore-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala-Rasmus Kupari-Carl Grundstrom

Lias Andersson-Blake Lizotte-Arthur Kaliyev

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy

Alex Edler/Jacob Moverare-Sean Walker

Goalies:

Cal Petersen

Jonathan Quick

Expected Seattle Kraken Lines Per Emerald City Hockey:

Jaden Schwartz-Alexander Wennberg-Andre Burakovsky

Jared McCann-Matty Beniers-Jordan Eberle

Brandon Tanev-Yanni Gourde-Oliver Bjorkstrand

Ryan Donato-Morgan Geekie-Daniel Sprong

Defense:

Vince Dunn-Adam Larsson

Carson Soucy-Justin Schultz

Cale Fleury-Will Borgen

Goalies:

Martin Jones

Philipp Grubauer

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 15-79, 18.99%, 24th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 18-71, 74.65%, 24th in NHL

Seattle Kraken Power Play: 13-59, 22.03%, 14th in NHL

Seattle Kraken Penalty Kill: 15-58, 74.14%, 25th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pre-Game Notes:

• The LA Kings return to Climate Pledge Arena for the third time in franchise history. Last season, the Kings swept both games in Seattle against the Kraken.
• No player has drawn more penalties in the league than Gabriel Vilardi (13).
• Since the 2018-19 season, no defenseman has more power-play goals in the league than Drew Doughty (23)
• Only Dallas’ Jason Robertson (8), Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl (8) and New York Ranger’s Chris Kreider (8) have more game-winning goals on the road than Adrian Kempe’s seven since the beginning of last season.

How to Watch:

/ TV: Bally Sports West, ESPN+ // Radio: iHeartRadio