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It’s win or go home for the Kings, as they get set to take on the Oilers for Game 5 at Rogers Place. Down 3-1 in the series, LA feels confident that they found their game on Sunday night despite being shut out 1-0 at home. They limited Connor McDavid and crew to just 13 shots and gave up almost nothing at 5v5. They’ll now attempt to replicate this style of play for the rest of the series.
As the saying goes, you can’t reinvent the wheel. Special teams have once again had an enormous impact on the series thus far, and it has thwarted LA’s chances at victories. On one hand is the Kings power play; something that has yet to score a goal through four contests. Unfortunately, neither of the team’s PP two units have been able to cash in on the man advantage a single time, surely costing them games this postseason.
On the other side of the coin is the club’s penalty kill. They have been abused by the Oilers once again for the third straight season. Coach Jim Hiller and the Kings have had no answer for it. Putting all the numbers together, Edmonton’s domination on special teams is largely the reason LA is now on the brink of elimination, plain and simple.
One change that Hiller made for Game 4 was turning to David Rittich in net. By the looks of it, Rittich will get a second straight nod tonight in Edmonton. He was sharp on Sunday, yet the fact he only faced 13 shots and the defense was much sharper played a part in that, as well.
On the latest “Kings of the Podcast” episode it was brought up that there are a lot of questions that still need to be answered:
One curious question heading into Game 5 centers on the 11+7 alignment used with success in recent months. Will Hiller consider going back to it tonight?
Statistically Speaking
— Drew Doughty will skate in his 95th career playoff game tonight, passing Luc Robitaille for the second-most in franchise history.
— Adrian Kempe leads the Kings with three goals in the series. Quinton Byfiled’s four assists pace all LA skaters through four games.
— Kempe also leads all active LA players who have faced Edmonton in the postseason (10 goals, 18 points in 17 playoff games).
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Oilers
Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Fiala – Dubois – Laferriere
Lewis – Lizotte – Grundstrom
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Englund – Spence
Rittich (starter)
Talbot
Possible scratches: Kaliyev, Moverare
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Across the Ice
Here is how Edmonton is expected to line up for tonight’s contest:
Henrique – McDavid – Hyman
RNH – Draisaitl – Kane
Holloway – McLeod – Perry
Foegele – Ryan – Janmark
Ekholm – Bouchard
Nurse – Ceci
Kulak – Desharnais
Skinner
Pickard
Skinner
Pickard
On This Day in Kings History
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