Kings vs Canadiens Game 30: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

After a 5-0 loss on Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings (14-11-4) need a bounce-back performance against the Montreal Canadiens (13-11-2).

Puck drops at 4:00 PM.

After their 9-8 loss to the Seattle Kraken and the sending down of Cal Petersen, it was captain Anze Kopitar who responded with a stellar performance in the following game. Putting two past the Arizona Coyotes in a 5-2 win. The Kings could use another vintage performance from Kopitar today. 

Surprisingly, the Kings are reportedly making no changes to their lineup tonight. It's not often you see a team respond to a 5-0 loss with no changes to the lineup. But Todd McLellan is sticking to his guns. 

Samuel Fagemo, who has two points in two games; and Tobias Bjornfot, who brings more balance to the blue line, will have to spend another game in the press box. 

It's hard to understand not changing the lineup after Thursday's game. The disappointment from that game came not only from the score but how bad the Kings looked from the off. They were second-best all night and could barely hang with the Leafs. A change looked needed, but McLellan felt differently. 

While there are no changes for the skaters, there is a change in net. Pheonix Copley will get his second start for the Kings. On Tuesday, he posted 31 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The coaching staff seems comfortable evenly splitting Copley and Jonathan Quick's starts right now. The Kings would love Copley to emerge as a quality goaltender for them, as they're still hurting in that department. 

Montreal has been somewhat of a surprise this season. They were expected to be bottom-feeders, in the hunt for Connor Bedard. But they've "overachieved" and sit above both the Senators and Buffalo Sabres in the standings. 

Huge seasons from Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Along with a strong start from Kirby Dach is giving Canadien's fans something to be excited about.

This won't be a walk in the park for the Kings and they have to be ready to play.

Expected Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Kevin Fiala-Anze Kopitar-Arthur Kaliyev

Trevor Moore-Phil Danualt-Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Iafallo-Adrian Kempe-Gabe Vilardi

Jaret Anderson-Dolan-Blake Lizotte-Carl Grundstrom 

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy

Alex Edler-Sean Walker

Goalies:

Pheonix Copley

Jonathan Quick

Expected Montreal Canadiens Lines Per MTLHockeyNow:

Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Josh Anderson

Juraj Slafkovsky-Kirby Dach-Mike Hoffman

Evgenii Dadonov-Christian Dvorak-Joel Armia

Michael Pezzetta-Jake Evans-Rem Pitlick

Defense:

Joel Edmundson-Kaiden Guhle

Jordan Harris-Johnathan Kovacevic

Arber Xhekaj-Chris Wideman

Goalies:

Jake Allen

Samuel Montembeault

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 26-102, 25.49%, 8th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 27-96, 71.86%, 26th in NHL

Montreal Canadiens Power Play: 13-80, 16.25%, 30th in NHL

Montreal Canadiens Penalty Kill: 18-89, 79.78, 11th

Los Angeles Kings Pre-Game Notes:

• Tonight is the first game of the Kings’ fourth set of back-to-backs this season (5-4 W, Oct. 17 at DET and 4-3 W, Oct. 18 at NSH // 5- 1 W, Oct. 31 at STL and 5-2 L Nov. 1 at DAL // 4-1 L, Nov. 18 at VAN and 3-2 OTL, Nov. 19 at SEA). Prior to today, the Kings are 3-2-1 in back-to-backs (2-1 in the first game, 1-1-1 in the second game). 
• No Kings skater has drawn more penalties this season than Gabriel Vilardi (14). 
• The LA Kings are 10-1-0 (.909%) when leading after two periods of play this season. 
• The team won’t return to Canada to play an opponent until Feb. 28 (at Winnipeg). 
• The Kings are 6-1-1 (.813%) against Atlantic Division opponents this season. Only Vegas (8-0-0, 1.000%) has a better winning percentage against the Atlantic in the league.

How to Watch:

TV: Bally Sports West, NHL Network; Radio: iHeartRadio