Kings vs Oilers Game 2: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

After a dramatic comeback victory by the Los Angeles Kings in Game one, the Edmonton Oilers will come out looking for revenge in Game two.

It's going to be difficult for these teams to repeat the drama of Game one, but I would expect another exciting matchup.

The Kings are getting a big boost up front, with Gabe Vilardi set to return after missing Game one.

Vilardi's been out since March 26, so expectations should be tempered a bit for his return. Regardless, he'll be a big help on the power play.

The power play showed up when it mattered in Game one, but they'll benefit from Vilardi's return.

Morning practice will give a better indication of where he'll slot in, but I'd expect him back on the third line. 

There are some questions about who he plays with on that line though. Todd McLellan changed the bottom six around a lot during Game one and might do some shuffling with Vilardi's return.

For now, I'd expect it to be Alex Iafalo-Blake Lizotte-Gabe Vilardi as the third line, with Arthur Kaliyev replacing Jaret Anderson-Dolan on the fourth line.

Joonas Korpisalo will be between the pipes after a very solid performance in Game one.

Matias Janmark was injured in Game 1 blocking a shot. With him out, Edmonton is expected to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Los Angeles Kings Projected Lines:

Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Alex Iafallo-Blake Lizotte-Gabe Vilardi

Carl Grundstrom-Rasmus Kupari-Arthur Kaliyev

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Vladislav Gavrikov -Matt Roy 

Alex Edler-Sean-Durzi

Goalies:

Joonas Korpisalo

Pheonix Copley

Edmonton Oilers Projected Lines:

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Connor McDavid-Zach Hyman

Evander Kane-Leon Draisailt-Kailer Yamamoto

Klim Kostin-Nick Bjugstad-Warren Foegele 

Ryan McLeod-Derek Ryan

Defense:

Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci

Mattias Ekholm-Evan Bouchard

Brett Kulak-Vincent Desharnais

Philip Broberg

Goalies:

Stuart Skinner

Jack Campbell

Special Teams:

Los Angeles Kings Power Play: 2-6, 33.33%, 8th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 2-3, 66.7%, 9th in NHL

Edmonton Oilers Power Play: 1-3, 33.33%, 7th in NHL

Edmonton Oilers Penalty Kill: 4-6, 66.7%, 8th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• The Kings travel to Edmonton to open Round One of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Following Games 1 and 2, the series will shift to Crypto.com Arena for Games 3 (April 21) and 4 (April 23).
• The Kings and Oilers met four times during the 2022-23 regular-season, splitting the season series at two games apiece (3-1 W on Nov. 16; 6-3 W on Jan. 9; 0-2 L on March 30; 1-3 L on April 4).
• Viktor Arvidsson led all Kings skaters in points against Edmonton this season with six (2-4=6).
• Anze Kopitar completed the 2022-23 season as the Kings leading scorer with 74 points (28-46=74), marking the fifth consecutive season leading the club in scoring and 15th time overall, the most in team history. He joined Gordie Howe (17 times) as the only two players in NHL history to lead the same franchise in points at least 15 times.

How to Watch:

TV: Bally Sports West, ESPN; Radio: LA Kings iHeart Audio Network