Kings vs Canadiens Game 63: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

After a crazy day and a half it's time to re-focus on hockey.

The Los Angeles Kings take on the Montreal Canadiens back at Crypto.com Arena.

Puck drops at 7:30 PM.

Pheonix Copley was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate, indicating he'll get the start tonight. 

We'll all have to wait to see Joonas Korpisalo's first start.

Vladislav Gavrikov will play on a pair with Sean Walker as they ease him into the lineup.

Gavrikov's hasn't played in a few weeks, so it makes sense to limit his minutes in his first game.

Todd McLellan did mention after morning skate that Gavrikov's spot in the lineup could change by Friday morning. So, I wouldn't commit to Gavrikov being on the third pair forever.

Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Kevin Fiala-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Iafallo-Blake Lizotte-Gabe Vilardi

Carl Grundstrom-Rasmus Kupari-Arthur Kaliyev

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy 

Vladislav Gavrikov-Sean Walker

Goalies:

Pheonix Copley

Joonas Korpisalo

Projected Montreal Canadiens Lines:

Mike Hoffman-Nick Suzuki-Denis Gurianov

Rafael Harvey-Pinard-Jonathan Drouin-Josh Anderson-

Rem Pitlick-Christian Dvorak-Jesse Ylonen

Michael Pezzetta-Chris Tierney-Alex Belzile

Defense:

Michael Matheson-Justin Barron

Kaiden Guhle-David Savard

Jordan Harris-Jonathan Kovacevic

Goalies:

Jake Allen

Samuel Montembeault

Special Teams

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 53-207, 25.60%, 3rd in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 51-210, 75.71%, 23rd in NHL

Montreal Canadiens Power Play:  30-182, 16.48%, 30th in NHL 

Montreal Canadiens Penalty Kill: 53-204, 74.02%, 28th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• The Kings have won their last three consecutive games against Montreal and have points in 10 of their last 13 matchups (9-3-1).
• Per NHL PR, Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty factored on their 283rd and 284th goals together Tuesday night, surpassing Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby (282) for the most goals factored on by an active forward-defenseman duo.
• Only Toronto (66), Tampa Bay (66) and Buffalo (63) have more first period goals this season than the Kings (62).
• The Kings and Carolina Hurricanes are tied for the most one-goal game victories this season at 19.
• Per NHL PR, Tuesday’s game marked the Kings’ NHL-leading fourth multi-goal, third-period comeback win – ahead of Chicago (3), St. Louis (3), Vancouver (3), NY Islanders (3) and Anaheim (3). Their four such victories in 2022-23 are also the most in single season in franchise history – besting 2007-08 and 2005-06 (both w/ 3).

How to Watch:

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