The Los Angeles Kings are coming out of the All-Star break in must-win mode.

Their playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread, and after firing Todd McLellan, are looking for a spark behind the bench in the form of Jim Hiller.

However, Hiller might not be the only spark the Kings get down the stretch.

After Rob Blake announced in his most recent press conference that Blake Lizotte is an LTIR option, hinting that he won't be back in the lineup soon, Alex Turcotte was handed a golden opportunity.

Turcotte is still with the Ontario Reign after being sent down during the All-Star break, but I'd expect him back up before Saturday's game at the latest. 

The Kings tried Trevor Lewis at 4C to replace Lizotte with poor results and have now turned to Turcotte.

While you don't want to get carried away after two games, I don't think it's a coincidence that a line who looked anemic for nearly 20 games immediately looked dangerous after Turcotte was added.

He capped off a strong two-game stint with a goal and assist - which could have been two - against the Nashville Predators.

Turcotte looks like a different player than we've seen suit up for the Kings in the past.

He's always had the skill and hockey IQ, but he looks more physically mature now, more able to handle the physical demands of the NHL, an exciting prospect for the Kings.

Injuries have derailed Turcotte's early career, and possibly robbed him of the chance to fulfill his fifth-overall pick expectations.

However, he now looks like a player that can be a real contributor in the Kings' lineup.

For now, a 4C role is where his opportunity lies. He needs to take this chance with both hands and make it impossible to send him down after Lizotte returns.

They're different circumstances, but he can do something similar to what Gabe Vilardi did last summer at training camp.

Make yourself impossible to ignore.

Where Turcotte Fits In:

As mentioned, the 4C spot is an obvious one for Turcotte right now. 

However, when everyone is healthy, the Kings will be tight to the cap and have some difficult roster decisions to make.

Lizotte will likely return to the 4C spot when he's healthy, meaning Turcotte will have to steal a wing spot from someone. 

It could come down to waiver eligibility, and then it becomes Turcotte versus Alex Laferriere, the two waiver exempt forwards on the roster.

There are some rhymes in their games too. Both are honest, hard working players with skill. 

But Turcotte has an extra gear when healthy. 

He also has position flexibility, being able to play both center and wing. 

Despite being younger, Laferriere has more experience in the NHL now, which could keep him up. 

If he and Laferriere play well enough, maybe the Kings are willing to move Carl Grundstrom, who's an inconsistent but useful player.

This won't be an easy task, and Turcotte is working against difficult circumstances. 

The team like both Grundstrom and Jaret Anderson-Dolan, so losing either to make room for Turcotte would be a tough sell. 

But again, Turcotte needs to play so well that sending him down isn't seen as an option.

I've remained a believer in Turcotte and it looks like he might finally come good.

If he becomes a even a solid middle-six player for the Kings now, that's a big boost given his cheap contract. 

His combination of skill, energy and defensive prowess could also be a great complement to Pierre-Luc Dubois, potentially unlocking the Kings' newest addition. 

The stage is set for Turcotte to go from "bust" to contributor in what would be one of the best stories in hockey. 

It all starts on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.