In a crucial matchup tonight, the Los Angeles Kings are set to face off against the Calgary Flames for the final time this season. Both teams will be vying for valuable points as they battle it out on the ice.

Head-to-Head Analysis:

In their previous encounters with the Flames this season, forward Quinton Byfield has been the standout player for the Kings, netting multiple goals. Additionally, forward Anze Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty have each contributed three points so far. Doughty has been particularly impressive against Calgary over the past three seasons, amassing a total of seven points in seven games, making him one of the top performers against the Flames in the NHL.

Kings' Team Updates:

The Kings opted not to practice yesterday, choosing instead to hold a full-team morning skate in Calgary. Goaltender David Rittich, facing his former club, is expected to start in net tonight based on his early presence on the ice. Rittich has only made one career start against the Flames, resulting in an overtime loss.

During the morning skate, the Kings unveiled their potential lineup for tonight's game. Viktor Arvidsson has been moved up to the top line alongside Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. The Kings also made in-game adjustments during their previous matchup against the Oilers, keeping Quinton Byfield with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Trevor Lewis. However, forward Carl Grundstrom and defenseman Jacob Moverare are still questionable for tonight's game.

Flames' Recent Struggles:

The Flames enter tonight's game on a five-game losing streak, with their most recent defeat being a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is expected to start for Calgary, having a solid record of 11-5-4 against the Kings throughout his career. Markstrom boasts a .913 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average in his matchups against Los Angeles.

Flames' Lineup and Scoring Threats:

Forward Andrew Mangiapane and defenseman Oliver Kylington did not play in the Flames' previous game, but Kylington is expected to make a return tonight. Forward Blake Coleman leads Calgary in scoring against the Kings this season with three goals from two games played. Former LA Jr. King Dustin Wolf is also anticipated to take on the backup goaltender position.

Options and Versatility for the Kings:

With the return of Viktor Arvidsson to the Kings' lineup, coach Jim Hiller has been presented with options for line combinations. Arvidsson has shown versatility in his ability to play in different spots, and tonight he will be paired with Kopitar and Kempe, a combination that proved successful during last season's playoffs. Hiller sees this as a positive development and a chance to experiment with different lineups to maximize offensive firepower.

Tonight's game will be a litmus test for the Arvidsson-Kopitar-Kempe line, as they aim to showcase their offensive prowess from the opening faceoff. The limited samples thus far have yielded positive results, and the Kings will be looking to capitalize on this opportunity.

As the Kings and Flames take to the ice tonight, both teams are aware of the importance of securing crucial points in the standings. With players stepping up and new line combinations being tested, it promises to be an exciting and highly competitive matchup.