The Los Angeles Kings are back in action Tuesday, taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning in game two of their six-game trip.
They're heading into Tampa on a season-long, five-game losing streak and need to crawl out of this hole they're digging.
It isn't all brimstone and fire for the Kings, who still sit second in their division by points percentage, but you never want to get complacent and let a losing streak grow.
Last time out, the Kings lost a heartbreaker in the final seconds against the Washington Capitals. It was another disappointing collapse for the Kings, who led on two different occasions against Washington.
On the plus side for Los Angeles, Adrian Kempe is finding his goal scoring, with six goals in his last six games as he continues his fantastic season.
However, the Kings are mixing the lines up once again, with the top-six being reunited after a few games apart per Dennis Bernstein.
Kempe had a clear positive impact on the Danault line, but the top line was clearly missing his presence so I understand that move.
I would have liked to see Arthur Kaliyev, who looked good after being scratched, get more time with Phil Danault and Kevin Fiala, but I get reuniting the line that had Trevor Moore on pace for 40 goals too.
With no clear look at the bottom-six. I'd assume the fourth line remains untouched and the Arthur Kaliyev-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Alex Laferriere line returns.
I don't care for that third line much, but if McLellan wants to put the top six back together he doesn't have many options.
The biggest piece of news from morning skate is Brandt Clarke coming out of the lineup and Jordan Spence returning.
Clarke was fine against Washington but didn't do enough to remain in the lineup it seems.
Of course, the plan could be for Clarke and Spence to split games regardless of performances, but I don't like calling up Clarke just for him to play ever other game.
Cam Talbot is expected in net for LA in his second straight start.
Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:
Forwards:
Quinton Byfield - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala - Phil Danault - Trevor Moore
Arthur Kaliyev - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Alex Laferriere
Carl Grundstrom - Blake Lizotte - Trevor Lewis
Defense:
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov - Matt Roy
Andreas Englund - Jordan Spence
Goalies:
Cam Talbot
David Rittich
Projected Tampa Bay Lightning Lines:
Forwards:
Brandon Hagel - Brayden Point - Nikita Kucherov
Nick Paul - Anthony Cirelli - Steven Stamkos
Conor Sheary - Tyler Motte - Mikey Eyssimont
Tanner Jeannot - Luke Glendening - Austin Watson
Defensemen:
Victor Hedman - Nick Perbix
Calvin de Haan - Darren Raddysh
Jack Thompson- Philippe Myers
Goalies:
Jonas Johansson