One of the underrated strengths of former Kings coach Darryl Sutter was his ability to find effective line combinations.
He formed the Tanner Pearson-Jeff Carter-Tyler Toffoli trio, and it was a longtime staple for the Kings up until Carter was injured last month.
Sutter’s successor, John Stevens, isn’t necessarily looking for the next Carter line but the Kings’ four-game losing streak represents a need for change. Stevens has been consistent with his top-nine forward combinations but it appeared Friday that Toffoli and Trevor Lewis swapped spots, with Lewis on the second line with Pearson and Adrian Kempe.