“April 13: Panarin Shines, Team Nears Clinching, Rare Power Play Analyzed”

The Los Angeles Kings visit the Seattle Kraken on April 13 in a pivotal late-season matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Pacific at Climate Pledge Arena.

Game details and broadcast

This is Game 80 of 82 for both teams. The Kings enter at 34-26-19. The Kraken are 34-34-11.

TV coverage is on ESPN. Radio options include ESPN LA 710 and team apps. Social updates will appear from team accounts and local beat reporters.

Projected lineups and roster notes

Anton Forsberg is the likely starter for Los Angeles. He posted a 27-save shutout in Saturday’s win over Edmonton.

Forsberg also made 30 saves on 33 shots in this building earlier this season, in a 3-2 overtime loss to Seattle in December.

The Kings dressed this forward group last game: Panarin, Kopitar and Kempe anchored the top line. Moore, Byfield and Laferrière skated second. Mathieu Joseph replaced Jeff Malott, who is not on the trip and is likely done for the regular season.

Alex Turcotte traveled with the club. He is “real close” but will not play tonight.

Seattle update

Seattle finished a three-game homestand before tonight’s visit. The Kraken beat Vegas and Calgary in the previous two games.

Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer were unavailable for Saturday’s win. Nikko Kokko made 26 saves in his first NHL start.

Head-to-head trends

Six of the last seven Kings-Kraken meetings were decided by one or two goals. The only clear outlier was Seattle’s 4-2 win in Los Angeles in February.

Several Kings have played well in Seattle. Trevor Moore has six points and a +9 rating in eight career games at Climate Pledge Arena.

Clinching scenario and standings context

The Kings hold a clinching scenario today. A Los Angeles win tonight, combined with a Nashville loss to San Jose, would secure a playoff berth.

If that specific combination does not occur, the Kings still control their fate. They need two victories overall to lock a spot.

When D.J. Smith became interim head coach, the club sat outside the playoff picture. The team has since climbed into the second wild-card slot with three games left.

The stretch run included a 5-0-1 finish to a recent seven-game homestand. That surge closed gaps on several West Division rivals.

Panarin’s impact

Artemi Panarin delivered the decisive goal in Saturday’s win over Edmonton. He converted on a breakaway after an opponent’s turnover.

Panarin’s track record in shootouts is elite. He owns a career shootout success rate of roughly 55.8 percent, among the best in NHL history.

Special teams — the rare power play stretch

The Kings went more than 200 minutes without a power-play opportunity before finally getting one late in the Edmonton game. That was an unusually long drought.

Over the last three games, Los Angeles has been shorthanded only three times. The penalty kill performed well in that span.

Coach Smith challenged the team to limit minor penalties late in the season. The Kings are on pace to meet that target.

Players to watch

• Artemi Panarin — top offensive catalyst and recent game-winner.
• Anton Forsberg — expected netminder with recent shutout form.
• Trevor Moore — strong plus/minus record in Seattle, dangerous on the forecheck.
• Vince Dunn, Eeli Tolvanen, Chandler Stephenson — Seattle scorers with recent success versus Los Angeles.

Notes and context from around the club

Interim coach D.J. Smith has guided the team from outside the playoff picture into contention. Players cite rising confidence down the stretch.

Outside coverage has praised the organization’s player care and development. One recent player ranking also highlighted Alex Laferrière among underrated forwards, noting his forecheck involvement and physical play.

Expect another tight contest tonight. Both teams skate well and defend aggressively. The next three games will shape Los Angeles’ final seeding push.

For continued coverage and analysis, follow Filmogaz.com and local beat reporters throughout the evening.