The Los Angeles Kings play their final game before the All-Star break on Wednesday, taking on the Nashville Predators.
Given the Kings' terrible run in the month of January, people are beginning to wonder if this could be Todd McLellan's last game behind the bench.
A loss would certainly put more pressure on Rob Blake to make that tough decision, but they've remained loyal to McLellan so far.
Quinton Byfield is expected to be back in per Zach Dooley, which is a massive boost for the Kings.
Byfield missed the last two games because of an illness and his absence was very noticeable.
Alex Turcotte looked like a strong fit at 4C last game and with Trevor Lewis questionable, Turcotte seems like an option for Wednesday.
There isn't a lot to be said for this Kings team anymore, they need to find their game again, and maybe even re-find an identity.
They aren't playing badly according to the underlying numbers, but they can't get a win either.
It feels like on nights the offense shows up, the defense crumbles and vice versa right now.
If they can't grab a win tonight, they'll be on a run of two wins in 17 games, an unacceptable record for a team with their ambitions.
But what's the answer? They're limited in their options and a coaching change might be the only thing Blake can try, even if he doesn't want to.
A win could change perception, but only slightly.
Three wins in 17 games still isn't good enough.
David Rittich is expected in net, per Dooley.
Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:
Forwards:
Quinton Byfield - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala - Phil Danault - Trevor Moore
Alex Laferriere - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Carl Grundstrom - Alex Turcotte - Trevor Lewis
Defense:
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov - Matt Roy
Andreas Englund - Jordan Spence
Goalies:
David Rittich
Cam Talbot
Projected Nashville Predators Lines:
Forwards:
RYAN O'REILLY - GUSTAV NYQUIST - FILIP FORSBERG
COLTON SISSONS - YAKOV TRENIN - DENIS GURIANOV
CODY GLASS - PHILIP TOMASINO - TOMMY NOVAK
MICHAEL MCCARRON - COLE SMITH - LUKE EVANGELISTA
Defense:
ROMAN JOSI - DANTE FABBRO
LUKE SCHENN - RYAN MCDONAGH
ALEXANDRE CARRIER - JEREMY LAUZON
Goalies:
JUUSE SAROS
KEVIN LANKINEN