Believe it or not, the Kings aren’t playing the Ducks again.
After facing Anaheim in three of their first four preseason games, it’s time for coach Jim Hiller’s squad to get a look at a different NHL team. Beginning Tuesday in Boise, they’ll face the Mammoth for the first of two games against the newly named Mammoth. A rematch will then take place in Salt Lake City on Thursday. Same colors, same team from last season; just no longer the Utah Hockey Club.
“The coach is back in Utah, so we expect them to play similar to what they did last year,” Hiller said in advance of this week’s two-game set. “It’ll be a good test for us; good to see somebody new. And there will be some different challenges. Their power play in particular — with Keller, Schmaltz, and Sergachev — that’s a really good power play. So that’s going to challenge us in different ways. They do some different things that make it really difficult. That’ll be the one that we really have to be on our toes for.”
In what will be their fifth straight starts of the preseason, forward Sammy Helenius and defenseman Kyle Burroughs remain as the only two Kings players who have seen action in every exhibition game thus far.
“This is a tough week with three games and two long travel days,” Hiller stated, as he shared a few thoughts on the situation. “For the most part, the veterans will get three games only. They’ll play the last two, as a team. The other guys might get the first five, and then not play the last two. They might get five and then play another game, a sixth one. We’re going to have somebody who plays six [games]. There are some specific players that, one: we’re giving opportunity to that didn’t get quite get as much opportunity. And two: who we want to look at them just a little bit closer.
In a just-for-fun stat, LA is 3-0 when Jeff Malott starts this preseason. There’s no real ryhme or reason for that, as each of those games has featured a rotating lineup for both the Kings and their opponents. However, he’s back in tonight and from all indications, Malott will make the opening night roster — something we looked at a little deeper earlier this week.
What You May Have Missed
— Talking with Turcotte and Hiller about 2025-26 Plans, Plus a Kopitar and Kempe bonus tidbit HERE
— Former Kings netminder Robb Stauber has a connection today. His son Jaxson is a goalie with Utah. If you missed dad’s appearance on KOTP, definitely check it out HERE
— Going Old School, Five Questions with Sean Durzi in 2019 HERE
— Clarke and Dumoulin Discuss Their Potential Defensive Pairing LINK
— The List: Kings Could Lose These Players to Waivers During Training Camp LINK
— Phil Danault: You Won’t Believe How I Spent My Summer LINK
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Mammoth
The following players have been confirmed for the trip to Boise. We’ve initially aligned most of them using some of what Hiller has been showing during camp thus far. However, this alignment is purely a guesstimate. The article will be updated during pregame warmups, if needed.
Kuzmenko – Turcotte – Malott
Lee – Helenius – Thomas
Greentree – Pinelli – Ward
Guttman – Gawdin – Chromiak
Hicketts – Clarke
Moverare – Burroughs
Kirsanov – Millar
Copley
Portillo
Likely scratches: (D) Bolduc, and (G) Saville
For those wondering why guys like Kopitar and Kempe aren’t playing, keep in mind most veterans play around 2-3 preseason games. The Kings have seven total on their schedule. Also, the NHL uses a preseason rule where teams only need to suit up a minimum of eight veterans (defined as players who skated in 30+ NHL games last season or 100+ career NHL games). For some odd reason, players who were first round draft picks the prior year also qualify. This rule is intended to allow teams some flexibility in roster assembly — allowing them to look at prospects, etc. — while also providing fans the opportunity to see some known stars, as well.
How to Watch the Game
Puck drop is set for 6:00 pm Pacific Time and will be available via SLVR on Samsung TV Plus and on a free stream at LAKings.com. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
Following tonight, LA will have two preseason games remaining on their schedule and both can be viewed on traditional TV. For a quick overview of each game and where to watch them, see this article here.
Across the Ice
Utah hasn’t played a game since last Thursday, where they fell 3-2 to Vegas in overtime.
Based on their pregame morning skate setup earlier today, here’s how they’re expected to lineup vs. LA:
On This Day in Kings History
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