Kings vs Oilers Game 5: Lines, Notes & How to Watch

The Los Angeles Kings need a big response after their blown lead on Sunday. They head back to Edmonton for Game Five against the Oilers Tuesday.

Puck drops at 6:30 PM.

Kevin Fiala made his presence felt early in his return to the lineup and the Kings will need another strong performance from him. 

The Alex Iafallo-Gabe Vilardi-Kevin Fiala line was the Kings' best line in Game Four and will be a game-changer again Tuesday. 

After being pulled in Game Four, Stuart Skinner will start Game Five for the Oilers. The Kings need to put pressure on him early and can't allow him to find his game again.

The Kings third pairing struggled in Game Four. Sean Durzi's mistakes were too frequent and Alex Edler's lack of footspeed was an issue all night. 

The inability to play the third pairing forced too many minutes on Drew Doughty, who seemed to struggle with some fatigue in Game Four.

The Kings need improved play from the bottom pair and the fourth line to relieve pressure off the rest of the lineup.

The Kings will need to be prepared for heavy minutes from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Blake Lizotte didn't skate with the main group this morning and isn't expected to play tonight.

Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:

Quinton Byfield-Anze Kopitar-Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore-Phil Danault-Viktor Arvidsson

Carl Grundstrom-Gabe Vilardi-Alex Iafallo

Jaret Anderson-Dolan-Rasmus Kupari-Arthur Kaliyev

Defense:

Mikey Anderson-Drew Doughty

Vladislav Gavrikov -Matt Roy 

Alex Edler-Sean-Durzi

Goalies:

Joonas Korpisalo

Pheonix Copley

Projected Edmonton Oilers 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: 5-17, 29.4%, 5th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Penalty Kill: 5-11, 45.5%, 16th in NHL

Edmonton Oilers Power Play: 6-11, 54.5%, 1st in NHL

Edmonton Oilers Penalty Kill: 12-17, 70.6%, 11th in NHL

Los Angeles Kings Pregame Notes:

• Kevin Fiala recorded two assists for his first playoff points as an LA King in his postseason debut with the team in Game 4 on Sunday. Fiala enters tonight with 17 points (9-8=17) in 36 career playoff games. With an assist tonight, Fiala can tie Todd Elik (1-3=4, April 7-8, 1982) for the most assists through a player’s first two playoff games as a member of the Kings.
• Matt Roy scored his first career playoff goal on Sunday night in Game 4. Roy became just the seventh Michigan Tech (NCAA) alumnus to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, joining Randy McKay (20), Mike Zuke (6), Jarkko Ruutu (5), Bob Lorimer (3), Chris Conner (1) and Bob Murray (1).
• Phillip Danault is set to skate in his 50th career Stanley Cup Playoffs game tonight. In doing so, Danault would become the 18th different player from the 2011 NHL Draft and 13th active Quebec-born skater to reach such mark.
• Viktor Arvidsson scored his first career playoff goal as a member of the LA Kings on Sunday in Game 4.
• Only Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor (24) has registered more shots this postseason than Adrian Kempe (20).

How to Watch:

TV: KCOP-13, ESPN; Radio: LA Kings iHeart Audio Network