Kings vs Canucks Game 77: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

Needing just one point to clinch a playoff spot, the Los Angeles Kings take on the Vancouver Canucks Sunday evening. 

Puck drops at 5:00 PM.

In the Kings' last game against the Canucks, Thatcher Demko stood on his head, stopping 38 shots en route to a 3-2 shootout victory.

Given the Kings' struggle to score on this road trip, another strong game from Demko would be devastating for LA. 

Kevin Fiala returned to the lineup Saturday and made an immediate impact with two points. 

He did pull up early in the game and there was some worry he was still hurt. Right now I'd assume Fiala is still in, but they might choose to rest him tonight.

Alex Edler usually sits the second night of back-to-backs, so I'd expect Tobias Bjornfot to draw in tonight. Zack MacEwen might also come back into the lineup, but Todd McLellan rarely makes too many changes after a win.

The Canucks have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Kings in recent years, failing to beat them in regulation since 2018. 

Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Iafallo-Blake Lizotte-Kevin Fiala

Carl Grundstrom-Rasmus Kupari-Arthur Kaliyev

Defense:

Vladislav Gavrikov-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy 

Alex Edler-Sean Walker

Goalies:

Joonas Korpisalo

Pheonix Copley

Projected Vancouver Canucks Lines:

Andrei Kuzmenko-Elias Petterson-Dakota Joshua

Phil Di Giuseppe-J.T. Miller-Brock Boeser

Anthony Beauvillier-Nils Aman-Conor Garland

Aidan McDonough-Sheldon Dries-Jack Studnicka

Defense:

Quinn Hughes-Ethan Bear

Guillaume Brisbois-Tyler Myers

Jack Rathbone-Kyle Burroughs

Goalie:

Thatcher Demko

Colin Delia

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 63-251, 25.10%, 5th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 62-251, 75.30%, 23rd in NHL

Vancouver Canucks Power Play: 57-248, 22.98%, 9th in NHL

Vancouver Canucks Penalty Kill: 65-223, 70.85%, 32nd in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• Tonight is the second game of the Kings’ 11th, and final, set of back-to-backs this season. Prior to this weekend, the team is 12-4-4 in back-to-backs (7-2-1 in the first game, 5-2-3 in the second).
• The Kings have points in three of their last four games vs. Vancouver, dating back to Dec. 30, 2021 (1-1-2).
• No Kings skater has more takeaways this season than Anze Kopitar (44).
• The Kings have allowed two or fewer goals in 13 of their last 14 games, dating back to the beginning of March.
• Only Nashville’s Roman Josi (4) and New York Ranger’s Adam Fox (3) have more road goals among defensemen this season than Matt Roy (2).

How to Watch:

TV: Bally Sports West; Radio: iHeartRadio