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Player Notes

  • Steadfast in Game 3 win
    DeSmith denied 29 of 30 shots from the Predators on Friday, culminating in a 2-1 win to take Game 3.

    Advice: DeSmith emerged with his first career playoff victory, as he drew his second straight start in place of Thatcher Demko (undisclosed). While the Predators scored with 3:12 remaining in the third period, it wasn't quite enough to flip the script. Indeed, DeSmith was laser focused while helping his team kill all four penalties, plus he worked against the grain of the Canucks' minus-18 shot differential. Demko has a week-to-week return timeline, meaning DeSmith is likely to draw the Game 4 start in Nashville on Sunday. Rotowire.com 5 minutes ago
  • Keeps dishing in latest playoff win
    Hughes came up with two power-play assists Friday for a 2-1 win over the Predators to take Game 3.

    Advice: Hughes was unable to get any shots off for the first time in the series, but the point-packing defenseman now has four helpers in these conference quarterfinals. Of course, you could say that his performance Friday was just another day at the office for Hughes, as he led all NHL defenseman in assists (75) and total points (92) during the regular season. Rotowire.com 31 minutes ago
  • On modest three-game point streak
    Anderson logged an assist, four hits, three blocked shots and two PIM in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 3.

    Advice: Anderson has gotten on the scoresheet in every game of the postseason so far, earning a goal and two assists. He's added four shots on net, 11 hits and seven blocked shots. Anderson remains alongside Drew Doughty on the Kings' top defensive pairing, so it's not all that odd to see the former get looks on offense. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:47 pm
  • Generates helper
    Byfield provided an assist and added two PIM in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 3.

    Advice: Byfield has four helpers and a plus-5 rating over three playoff contests. The 21-year-old is seeing steady top-six minutes, though this was the first time in three games he started on the top line. Byfield can offer offense with a little physicality, but it's yet to be seen if reuniting him with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe will be the adjustment the Kings need to keep pace in this first-round series. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:46 pm
  • Nets lone goal in loss
    Doughty scored a goal and added 12 PIM in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 3.

    Advice: Doughty got the Kings on the board in the second period, but they weren't able to muster a rally. His slashing penalty in the first also to the first of the Oilers' three power-play markers. Doughty's offense (two goals, one assist, five shots on net) has been fine in the playoffs, but he's minus-2 with 12 PIM, three hits and three blocked shots over three contests in the first round. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:44 pm
  • Torched for six more goals
    Talbot allowed six goals on 40 shots in Friday's 6-1 loss to the Oilers in Game 3.

    Advice: Talbot has given up a total of 16 tallies over three games in the first round, so he's lucky the Kings are only down 2-1 in the series. The 36-year-old's play has been lackluster, but he's not getting a ton of help from his defense. Game 4 is Sunday, but it's unclear if the Kings will stick with Talbot much longer if he continues to struggle, which could open the door for David Rittich to get a look. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:42 pm
  • Offers helper in win
    Ceci provided an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Friday's 6-1 win over the Kings in Game 3.

    Advice: Ceci set up an Evander Kane goal in the second period. The helper was Ceci's first point in four outings since he rested in the Oilers' penultimate regular-season game. The defenseman had 25 points, 97 shots on net, 91 hits and 106 blocked shots over 79 regular-season outings while filling a top-four role this season, one he's continued in for the playoffs. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:40 pm
  • Gathers helper Friday
    Nurse logged an assist, three shots on goal and six blocked shots in Friday's 6-1 win over the Kings in Game 3.

    Advice: Nurse snapped a three-game dry spell by helping out on Leon Draisaitl's first-period tally. The 29-year-old Nurse posted 32 points in 81 regular-season contests, his lowest point total in six years. He remains a physical force with 172 blocked shots, 168 hits and 79 PIM, but he may not contribute much offense in the postseason. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:38 pm
  • Contributes helper
    Ekholm logged an assist, five shots on goal, two blocked shots and two PIM in Friday's 6-1 win over the Kings in Game 3.

    Advice: The assist was Ekholm's first point in three playoff outings, to go with seven shots on net, four hits and five blocked shots. The 33-year-old defenseman had a career-high 45 points and a plus-44 rating over 79 regular-season appearances. His focus remains on keeping the Oilers' defensive zone clear, but he can also chip in solid secondary scoring from his top-four role. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:36 pm