Regardless of whether Richards plays or doesn't, there is one objective. Win tomorrow.
LA is going to throw everything and the kitchen sink at us tomorrow. The last time they gave it their all in periods 2 and 3 to try and tie the game, it was game 1. In game 2 they were noticeably slower. I don't expend that trend to repeat itself. In fact, I think that they will muster every bit of energy that they can possibly have into game 5. The longer the series goes, the better for us, and the worse for them. Sutter and his players know that. Expect Friday to be their biggest effort.
Now, focus on that game. Win that game. If the Rangers are able to steal that game, and yes I say steal because I'm anticipating the Kings putting the pedal to the metal for the entirety of the game... the series gets very interesting.
After that, a lot more pressure starts coming LA's way. We need quite a bit of puck luck tomorrow to continue on. Fend them off tomorrow, live another day, and the outlook of this series completely changes.