Kings vs Panthers Game 51: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Let's get ready to rumble!

Friday marks the first meeting between the Los Angeles Kings (27-17-6) and Florida Panthers (23-21-6) since Matthew Tkachuk's poke of Jonathan Quick's eye. An act that earned Tkachuk a two-game suspension and didn't endear Tkachuk to a Kings team and fan base that already wasn't fond of him.

I have to imagine this game involves some retribution for that high stick and might see Brendan Lemieux return to the lineup to deliver that retribution.

This game is about more than just Tkachuk v Kings though. The Kings are in a tight playoff race in the Pacific Division, making every game feel like a must-win at this point. While the Panthers are trying to avoid following up a Presidents Trophy win by missing the playoffs.

Despite their place in the standings, this is a Panthers team with plenty of weapons, so the Kings will have to be sharp to avoid a defeat. 

Expected LA Kings Lines:

Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Alex Iafallo-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala -Blake Lizotte-Jaret Anderson-Dolan

Rasmus Kupari-Alex Turcotte-Samuel Fagemo/Brendan Lemieux

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy

Alex Edler-Sean Walker

Goalies:

Pheonix Copley

Jonathan Quick

Expected Florida Panthers Lines Per FloridaHockeyNow.com

Anton Lundell-Sasha Barkov-Sam Reinhart

Carter Verhaeghe-Sam Bennett-Matthew Tkachuk

Nick Cousins-Eetu Luostarinen-Colin White

Ryan Lomberg-Eric Staal-Givani Smith

Defense:

Gus Forsling-Aaron Ekblad

Marc Staal-Brandon Montour

Josh Mahura-Radko Gudas

Goalies:

Alex Lyon

Mack Guzda

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 42-173, 24.28, 9th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 44-169, 73.96%, 25th in NHL

Florida Panthers Power Play: 43-177, 24.29%, 8th in NHL

Florida Panthers Penalty Kill: 49-188, 73.94%, 26th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• Tonight is the first game of the Kings’ seventh set of back-to-backs this season. Prior to this weekend, the team is 6-3-3 in back-to-backs (4-2-0 in the first game, 2-1-3 in the second).
• Anze Kopitar has 10 points (3-7=10) in his last six games against the Panthers, dating back to March 16, 2019. 
• Forward Rasmus Kupari skates into FLA Live Arena two games shy of 100 in his career. With two more games, Kupari would become the 24th skater from the 2018 NHL Draft class to reach this mark.
• Samuel Fagemo tallied his second career goal Wednesday night in Philadelphia. He now has three points (2-1=3) in seven games this season.
• Drew Doughty (29) needs one game-winning goal to surpass Rob Blake for sole possession of seventh place on the Kings’ all-time list.

How to Watch:

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