Kings forwards Kevin Fiala, Gabriel Vilardi out for Game 1 vs. Oilers: What it

Kings forwards Kevin Fiala and Gabriel Vilardi will be out for Game 1 against the Oilers, coach Todd McLellan announced Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Fiala missed the final six games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. He’s played in just three games since suffering an apparent leg injury when he was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Colorado’s Andrew Cogliano on March 9.
• Vilardi missed the last nine games of the regular season with an upper-body injury.
• Goalie Joonas Korpisalo will start in the net as the Kings (47-25-10) face the Oilers (50-23-9) in Edmonton to open their postseason.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What is the status of both forwards?

Their absences have been something the Kings have anticipated as Fiala hasn’t played since April 1 at Seattle, and Vilardi hasn’t suited up since March 26 against St. Louis. Fiala hasn’t been right since incurring a knee-on-knee hit by Cogliano and appeared to suffer a setback in that win over the Kraken. Vilardi has been dogged by an unspecified upper-body issue over the second half of the season. McLellan proclaimed them out for Game 1 and their availability for Game 2 and beyond is a real question mark. Neither skated with the team Monday morning and when asked if both are in Edmonton, McLellan would only say, “They could be.” Vilardi has been occasionally skating on his own in Los Angeles. — Stephens

What do both mean to the Kings?

Losing two of their most naturally skilled forwards is a hit to the depth the Kings used to their advantage throughout the season. Fiala mostly played on the third line and thrived as he had 23 goals and 72 points in his first season with the club. Vilardi got off to a hot start in 2022-23 and wound up with career highs in goals (23), assists (18) and points (41) even though he was limited to 63 games, with only 18 played after the All-Star break. Both were integral parts of a dramatically improved power play that was fourth in the NHL. — Stephens

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(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today)