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5 Questions With Rink Royalty- LA Kings and Edmonton Oilers Potential First Round Match Up

By Devon Hladunewich

Mar 30, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) and Los Angeles Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson (33) look for a loose puck during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) and Los Angeles Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson (33) look for a loose puck during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84)
Mar 16, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (84) moves the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (34) during the first period at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Question #3- The Kings made one of the biggest moves around the deadline acquiring Joonas Korpisalo and Vladislav Gavrikov. Since then the Kings have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL. Which one of these two players has made the bigger difference since they have been acquired?

"Rink Royalty Response: Vladislav Gavrikov has been a huge addition to the defense, but I’d have to give the slight edge to Joonas Korpisalo because of how much of a difference he has made in net since Jonathan Quick left. Korpisalo is 4-1-1 with a .931 save percentage since joining the Kings, which is actually insane."

Having just watched both of these players against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday I can say without a doubt that Korpisalo is the better of the two pickups. Sure Gavrikov is a solid addition on the back end, but the way Korpisalo played Thursday it is hard to go against that.

Question #4- The Edmonton Oilers will be faced Joonas Korpisalo in the net last game. When it gets to the playoffs which goalie do you think the Kings will make their starter? Or do you think they are going to play them both in the postseason?

"Rink Royalty Response: Since acquiring Korpisalo, the Kings have rotated them for every game as an even tandem. But, it seems like as they head toward the playoffs, Korpisalo could get the slight edge over Copley in net. Although, it wouldn’t be surprising either if Todd McLellan continues to rotate them every game."

See the statement above for my feelings about Korpisalo. No offence to Copley, but how could you not use Korpisalo?

Question #5- I think we all can agree that in this game the Edmonton Oilers will have the two highest-skilled players in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Do you think Todd McLellan will try and match lines? If so who will try and shut down McDavid and who gets Draisaitl?

"Rink Royalty Response: If he did match lines, I would expect it to be the Moore-Danault-Arvidsson line. Typically, the forward group is led by the two-headed dragon of Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault. But, typically Kopitar plays on a separate line with Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe. So, if anyone can slow them down, I’d say it’d be #11 and #24. But, McDavid and Draisaitl can score at will if they want to."

Let us take a quick look at how they played on Thursday. This is how they just played the Oilers. I would expect to see the way everything was done Thursday carry over to Tuesday.

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