Kings vs Avalanche Game 80: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

After a heavy loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, the Los Angeles Kings need a big response Saturday against the Colorado Avalanche.

Puck drops at 7:30 PM.

A key for Saturday will be the start. The Kings were shell shocked early by the Knights and couldn't recover, that can't happen again.

The Kings got some good news at morning skate, with Mikey Anderson returning in a red jersey. He won't play tonight, but it's a good sign he's back on the ice. Still no sign of Gabe Vilardi, Kevin Fiala or Alex Edler.

Todd McLellan confirmed there would be some changes to the lineup Saturday. With Zack MacEwen and Tobias Bjornfot taking extra ice after practice, we'll assume they're out tonight. 

That means Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Jordan Spence will likely draw in.

Saturday morning was an optional skate so we didn't get a look at lines. But Quinton Byfield was still in a top-six grey jersey so I'd assume there's no major changes.

Pheonix Copley was first off this morning, indicating he'll likely start.

Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Iafallo-Blake Lizotte-Arthur Kaliyev

Carl Grundstrom-Rasmus Kupari-Jaret Anderson-Dolan

Defense:

Vladislav Gavrikov-Drew Doughty

Sean Durzi-Matt Roy 

Sean Walker-Jordan Spence

Goalies:

Pheonix Copley

Joonas Korpisalo

Projected Colorado Avalanche Lines:

Evan Rodrigues-Nathan MacKinnon-Mikko Rantanen

Denis Malgin-J.T. Compher-Valeri Nichushkin

Andrew Cogliano-Lars Eller-Logan O'Connor

Ben Meyers-Alex Newhook-Mattew Nieto

Defense:

Samuel Girard-Devon Towes

Jack Johnson-Bowen Byram

Kurtis MacDermid-Erik Johnson

Goalies:

Alexander Gerogiev

Jonas Johansson

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 65-258, 25.19%, 3rd in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 55-263, 75.29%, 24th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Power Play: 60-241, 24.90%, 5th in NHL

Colorado Avalanche Penalty Kill: 49-234, 79.06%, 16th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• Forward Phillip Danault has four goals over his last three games against the Avalanche, including a multi-goal effort (2-0=2) when these two teams last met on March 9 in Denver.
• No Pacific Division team has scored more goals against the Central Division this season than the Kings (75).
• Blake Lizotte’s 1.84 penalties drawn-per-60 minutes ranks fourth in the league among all skaters (min. GP: 70).
• The Kings (5-for-5) are one of five teams to be perfect in coach’s challenges this season: Calgary (7-for-7), Chicago (5-for-5), Philadelphia (5-for-5) and Toronto (6-for-6).
• Only Carolina (41) and Boston (35) have more wins when outshooting their opponents this season than the Kings (34).

How to Watch:

TV: Bally Sports West; Radio: iHeartRadio