The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] play their 80th game of the season, and they are still chasing down the final wildcard spot. The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] are coming off a big 1-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers, which saw Anton Forsberg make 27 saves for the shutout. The Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken], on the other hand, are coming off a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. The way the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] can clinch a playoff spot tonight is with a win against Seattle in any fashion, and the Nashville Predators lose to the San Jose Sharks in regulation. PROJECTED KINGS LINES Here are the projected lines for the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] tonight: Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere Joel Armia - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright Mathieu Joseph - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci Anton Forsberg Darcy Kuemper PROJECTED KRAKEN LINES Here are the projected lines for the Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken] tonight: Bobby McMann - Matty Beniers - Jordan Eberle Eeli Tolvanen - Chandler Stephenson - Jaden Schwartz Berkly Catton - Frederick Gaudreau - Kaapo Kakko Ryan Winterton - Oscar Fisker Molgaard - Jacob Melanson Vince Dunn - Adam Larsson Josh Mahura - Brandon Montour Ryker Evans - Jamie Oleksiak Nikke Kokko Victor Ostman LINE CHANGES AND INJURIES The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] have scratched Jacob Moverare for tonight's matchup. The Kings will also be without Jeff Malott (undisclosed), Alex Turcotte (undisclosed), and Andrei Kuzmenko (meniscus). The Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken] are without Shane Wright (upper body), Philipp Grubauer (lower body), Joey Daccord (lower body), Matt Murray (personal), and Jared McCann (lower body). KEY FACTORS The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] are also expected to start Anton Forsberg, who was named the NHL first star of the week. Forsberg has also been playing his best hockey this season. In his last 5 starts, Forsberg has not had a save percentage lower than .935. Once again, this game for the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] is the biggest of the season, especially with the Kings potentially clinching tonight. The most important factor for the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] tonight is to control what they can control and focus on beating Seattle [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken], as even if the Sharks do not beat the Predators in regulation, a win tonight could be the reason they make the playoffs. Overall, the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] need to win this game to keep their playoff streak alive. My prediction for tonight's matchup is a 4-1 Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] win.
