For the final preseason game before LA’s 2025-26 regular season, there really isn’t much intrigue remaining when it comes to roster decisions. Several days ago, GM Ken Holland and coach Jim Hiller essentially tipped their collective hands when it comes to which players are expected to make the Kings opening night roster on Tuesday.
However, heading into Saturday afternoon’s contest vs. Anaheim, there is slight concern out on the blueline. Veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson missed practice late this week and didn’t play in the team’s most recent game on Thursday. Additionally, Kyle Burroughs was scratched that night as well. The latter point raised a few eyebrows for two reasons. One, Burroughs had played in every preseason game up until that point; and, two, he left Tuesday’s game early after blocking a shot.
Will either defenseman draw back in today? Hiller gave the team an off day on Friday, so the answer on both remains TBD for now. Edmundson not being ready for Game 1 on Tuesday would cause Hiller to reconfigure both his second and third defensive pairs, so it won’t simply be a ‘next man up’ situation.
The only roster change that’s been all but confirmed vs. the Ducks will come in net, where Darcy Kuemper is expected to get his final tune-up leading into opening night.
Up front, Jeff Malott played in LA’s first five preseason games and locked up a roster spot. He sat out Thursday, but could easily draw in this afternoon. If so, look to see who plays 4C. Alex Turcotte had been there all camp, but then he slid over to left wing last time out, leaving Sammy Helenius to play center on the fourth line.
What You May Have Missed
— Q&A with LA Kings GM Ken Holland LINK
— Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson Highlights Kings Opening Night Plans LINK
— Kings Lose Copley to Waivers, What it All Means LINK
— Laferriere to Center Gaining Traction, Still Not Happening Yet LINK
— Talking with Turcotte and Hiller about 2025-26 Plans, Plus a Kopitar and Kempe bonus tidbit HERE
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Ducks
NOTE: This alignment is a projection, as the team did not take a morning skate today. We’ll update the article during pregame warmups and/or after Hiller’s pregame scrum, if needed.
Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Moore – Danault – Foegele
Turcotte – Helenius – Armia
Anderson – Doughty
Moverare – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci
Kuemper
Forsberg
Likely scratches: (F) Malott, and (D) Burroughs, Edmundson
How to Watch the Game
Puck drop is set for 3:00 pm Pacific Time and will be available on FanDuel Sports in Los Angeles. There is also a Ducks feed on channel 13. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
Across the Ice
Anaheim is coming off a 5-2 win over San Jose on Wednesday night. Here’s how they lined up for that game:
Expect several changes today because a few of those players are no longer in camp with Anaheim.
On This Day in Kings History
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