The Los Angeles Kings prepare to face off against the Arizona Coyotes tonight, but they will be without forward Blake Lizotte, who left their previous game injured and will not be suiting up for the matchup. This absence leaves a void in the Kings' lineup, prompting head coach Todd McLellan to consider different options to replace Lizotte's contributions.

Lizotte's absence will be felt in several aspects of the game. He is a key player on the penalty kill, and his absence will require adjustments to the unit. Additionally, Lizotte excels in the faceoff circle, providing the Kings with an advantage in possession. However, perhaps the most notable loss is Lizotte's ability to energize his teammates and inspire them to perform at their best.

In response to Lizotte's absence, Jaret Anderson-Dolan will step into the Kings' lineup for his third NHL game of the season. Anderson-Dolan, a versatile player who can play both center and wing, brings a level of adaptability that will help mitigate the impact of Lizotte's absence. McLellan noted that the Kings have various options in terms of lineup placement and that the initial configuration may not be set in stone.

"We'll start a certain way and we'll see how the night goes," McLellan explained. "Arizona is a team that plays four lines, and the coach trusts them all. Everyone will need to be active on our side and give us strong performances if we want to succeed. We'll see how we start and then adjust as needed."

Anderson-Dolan previously found success as a center, forming a productive line with Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore during the 2020-21 season. This familiarity could prove beneficial as Anderson-Dolan steps into the lineup. Additionally, if he plays alongside veteran Trevor Lewis, his reliability and consistency will provide stability to the Kings' forward group.

While Anderson-Dolan will likely bring his own contributions to the game, there is an acknowledgment within the Kings organization that no single player can fully replace Lizotte's impact. The responsibility falls on the entire team to maintain the energy and motivation that Lizotte brought game after game.

"He's a big part of our engine, he makes us go in so many different ways," McLellan emphasized. "When you lose that, somebody else has to step up and fill that role. It can come from anyone on the team. We'll be keeping an eye on it, and it's important that somebody replaces that energy."

As the Kings take on the Coyotes tonight, they hope that Anderson-Dolan's versatility, coupled with the collective effort of the team, will fill the void left by Lizotte's absence. Maintaining their trademark energy and performance will be crucial to secure a victory against an Arizona team known for their competitiveness.

The puck is set to drop at [time] as the Kings and Coyotes battle it out for the final game of their season series. Goaltender Pheonix Copley is expected to start for the Kings, while Connor Ingram will guard the net for the Coyotes. Both teams will be vying for two crucial points in their quest for success this season.