Kings vs Oilers Game 44: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Los Angeles Kings (23-14-6) return home Monday night to take on the Edmonton Oilers (21-17-3).

Puck drops at 7:30 PM.

It's impossible to talk about an Oilers game without bringing up their two superstars; Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid is on pace for an absurd 66 goal, 152 points season while Draisaitl is on pace for 45 goals and 127 points. Slowing that duo down will be key for the Kings Monday. 

The LA Kings are a team with experience shutting them down, as one of just three teams to keep both McDavid and Draisaitl off the scoresheet on the same night.

When asked what the key to keeping them off the board was, Todd McLellan didn't waste any words, "Stay out of the penalty box."

Another key to the Kings' ability to shut that duo down is their ability to match up with them at center. Having a two-time Selke winner in Anze Kopitar and four-time Selke finalist in Phil Danault is massive.

To echo McLellan's words, staying out of the box will be paramount. Edmonton boasts the league's best power play, while the Kings sit 3rd worst in the penalty kill. 

Another key in the Kings' efforts to beat the Oilers and shut down their duo was blocking shots. The Kings blocked 29 in their last meeting.

"It depends on the opponent," said McLellan on the King's high number of blocked shots against Edmonton. "Sometimes they put you in a situation where you can block a little bit more. Maybe there's a little bit more predictability, I'm not saying Edmonton is that team. So, for teams to have success and win, you have to do some of those things you don't want to do, and shot blocking is one of them."

Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Alex Iafallo-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala-Blake Lizotte-Gabriel Vilardi

Brendan Lemieux-Rasmus Kupari-Jaret Anderson-Dolan

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy

Alex Edler Sean Walker

Goalies:

Pheonix Copley

Jonathan Quick

Expected Edmonton Oilers Lines:

Klim Kostin-Connor McDavid-Kailer Yamamoto

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Leon Draisaitl-Zach Hyman 

Mattias Jankmark-Ryan Mcleod-Jesse Puljujarvi

Markus Niemelainen-Dylan Holloway-Derek Ryan

Defense:

Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci

Brett Kulak-Tyson Barrie

Philip Broberg-Evan Bouchard

Goalies:

Stuart Skinner

Jack Campbell

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 34-147, 23.13%, 15th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 41-148, 72.30%, 29th in NHL

Edmonton Oilers Power Play: 48-149, 32.21%, 1st in NHL

Edmonton Oilers Penalty Kill: 38-147, 74.15%, 23rd in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• The Kings’ 20 power-play goals at home this season rank sixth in the league. 
• Blake Lizotte tallied his second multi-point game (0-2=2) of the season Saturday night in Vegas. 
• Only Calgary (899) and Vancouver (838) have scored more goals against Edmonton all-time than the Kings’ 784. 
• Mikey Anderson is one point shy (2-8=10) of tying his career-high of 11 (1-10=11) previously set in the 2020-21 season. 
• Kevin Fiala netted his second career hat trick Saturday night, the third by a player that day joining Tim Stützle (OTT) and Kirill Marchenko (CBJ). Saturday marked the third day this season to feature three hat tricks. The others: Dec. 29, 2022 (Aleksander Barkov, Mark Scheifele & Kyle Okposo) and Dec. 13, 2022 (Scheifele, Zach Hyman & Alex Ovechkin).

How to Watch:

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