Kings Gameday: Keep These Lines For A While

Smyth-Kopitar-Williams

Sturm-Stoll-Brown

Clifford-Richardson-Lewis

Ponikarovsky-Handzus-Westgarth

Now we just need Simmonds back and we're all set.

The Kings made a few changes in the last game against the Oilers. They used Sturm-Stoll-Brown/Simmonds in a shutdown role rather than either Handzus or Kopitar. They also mixed up the defensive pairings, putting Rob Scuderi and Willie Mitchell together while reuniting Jack Johnson  and Drew Doughty. It seemed like the Kings were trying to get their playmakers on offense and defense in easier roles where they could make a play. It worked, as Kopitar and Doughty both scored. We'll see what they do against a Dallas team that's a little deeper than Edmonton. (Just a little.)

Prediction: Kings win, 4-3. Goals by Williams, Smyth, Brown and Martinez.