Kings vs Stars Game 47: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

After a four-day break, the Los Angeles Kings (25-15-6) return to action Thursday against the Dallas Stars (26-13-7). 

Puck drops at 7:30 PM.

The Kings beat the Stars 3-2 earlier this month, bringing the series to 1-1. 

Excellent special teams from LA defined the game earlier this month. They shut out one of the league's top power played on three occasions and grabbed their game-winner via an Adrian Kempe power-play goal.

Morning skate was very optional before the game, giving us little indication of what the lines will look like. What we do know, Samuel Fagemo will play and Gabe Vilardi will not. Call-ups Alex Turcotte and Tobias Bjornfot are also not expected to play. They're both coming off back-to-back games with the Ontario Reign and were still traveling during morning skate. 

Kevin Fiala took reps back on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe yesterday and finished the New Jersey Devils game on that line. So, there's potential for that line to return. 

Pheonix Copley is expected in net again. 

Fagemo addressed coming back into the lineup this morning and the mindset he'll have. 

"I think it's the same (mindset) for me," said Fagemo. "Same mindset, just do my best out there and take advantage of my opportunity, I'm just really happy to get this chance again."

He also addressed how scoring his first career goal, and his two points in three games this season, have impacted his confidence.

"For sure I'm confident. Felt good, it was a really fun experience to get that first one of course. So, yeah I'm just going to keep working and take advantage of my opportunity,"

Todd McLellan addressed the possibility of rust heading into tonight's matchup after four days off and how to combat potential rust.

"I'd like to see us win faceoffs, I'd like to see us pay attention to details in our structure and have short shifts."

Expected Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Kevin Fiala-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Alex Iafallo-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Quinton Byfield-Blake Lizotte-Jaret Anderson-Dolan/Samuel Fagemo

Brendan Lemieux-Rasmus Kupari-Jaret Anderson-Dolan/Samuel Fagemo 

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy

Alex Edler-Sean Walker

Goalies:

Pheonix Copley

Jonathan Quick

Expected Dallas Stars Lines:

Jason Robertson-Tyler Seguin-Joe Pavelski

Jamie Benn-Wyatt Johnston-Ty Dellandrea

Mason Marchment-Luke Glendening-Denis Gurianov

Fredrik Olofsson-Radek Faksa-Joel Kiviranta

Defense:

Miro Heiskanen-Colin Miller 

Ryan Suter-Nils Lundkvist 

Esa Lindell-Jani Hakanpaa

Goalies:

Scott Wedgewood

Jake Oettinger

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 40-160, 25%, 7th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 43-159, 72.96%, 29th in NHL

Dallas Stars Power Play: 36-136, 26.47%, 6th in NHL

Dallas Stars Penalty Kill: 27-154, 82.47%, 4th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• Kevin Fiala enters tonight riding a nine-game point streak (6-8=14) against the Stars, dating back to Dec. 1, 2019. His streak is the second-longest active streak versus Dallas behind Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl at 12 games (6-8=14). 
• Mikey Anderson is one point shy of establishing a new career-high point total. In 46 games this season, Anderson has tallied two goals and nine assists for 11 points. 
• The Kings have outshot their opponent in each of their last seven consecutive games, dating back to Dec. 31 vs. Philadelphia. During that time, the team collectively outshot their opponents 228-184. 
• The Kings’ 769 blocked shots this season rank third in the league. 
• Since the 2018-19 season, no team has a better face-off winning percentage against Dallas than the Kings (52.5%; 701-for-1,422).

How to Watch:

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