#LAKings Game 2: Projected Lineups for LA Kings at Edmonton Oilers (MayorsManor)

Alex Iafallo was the Game 1 hero for LA on Monday night, scoring an overtime winner on the power-play. Although it didn’t reach the same shock/comeback level as the ‘Miracle on Manchester,’ it surely was monumental, considering the Kings were trailing 3-1 with around eight minutes remaining in regulation. Stealing Game 1 — on the road, no less — could be huge for the confidence of both clubs. What does it actually mean? We’re about to find out in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Look for Edmonton to play a more disciplined game in an attempt to even the series before things move to Los Angeles over the weekend. The Oilers took too many penalties against a Kings power-play that is far more dangerous than it was just one year ago. Last season, after also dropping Game 1, Edmonton fired back for eight goals in Game 2, crushing the Kings 8-2 at Rogers Place. LA cannot afford to let up at all this time around. In fact, they will need to be much sharper if they want to find more success in this series.
On the plus side, the Kings are expected to get an emotional boost with the return of forward Gabe Vilardi to the lineup. He arrived in Canada on Monday and practiced with the team in a regular colored jersey on Tuesday; all pointing to him winding up on the third line, skating alongside Iafallo and center Blake Lizotte. He will also most likely rejoin the top power play unit.
What’s less clear thus far, is what that means for LA’s fourth line. McLellan will need to decide who he plays at RW4, to round out a line with Carl Grundstrom and Rasmus Kupari. Dropping Arthur Kaliyev down from where he was (filling in for Vilardi at RW3) is the most obvious choice. However, Jaret Anderson-Dolan and Zack MacEwen remain viable alternatives, as well.
Defensively speaking, Sean Durzi will be on the third pair, as he was Monday. Will he play with Alex Edler again or be joined by Sean Walker instead? It’s One of the many topics explored on all new Kings Of The Podcast episode:
Joonas Korpisalo made 37 saves on Monday, giving him his first playoff victory in a Kings sweater. He will look to make it two in a row tonight.
LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Edmonton Oilers

Byfield – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Danault – Arvidsson
Iafallo – Lizotte – Vilardi
Grundstrom – Kupari – Kaliyev (or 28/17)
Anderson – Doughty
Gavrikov – Roy
Durzi – Walker
Korpisalo
Copley
Likely scratches: Anderson-Dolan, Fiala, Hrenak, Laferriere, MacEwen, Walker
Key Game Info

Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm PST and will be televised by Bally Sports.
Across the Ice

Edmonton lost Game 1 of the series by a final score of 4-3 in overtime.
Here’s how the Oilers are expected to line up:
TBD
On This Day in Kings History

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