Sitting at 1-3-2 heading into tonight, it remains a mystery who this Kings team really is. On one hand, they’re not winning games, which is the most important thing for a group that plans to play into late April. Scraping points in overtime and shootouts won’t be good enough in the long run. On the flip side, they have had as tough a schedule as anyone to kick things off this season, and they’ve lost a number of these games by one goal or past regulation. In addition, they have shown they can come back from any deficit and make things interesting.
So, is the glass half-full or half-empty?
They’re also doing this without their captain, a key depth player, and their starting goaltender.
Thus, who are the 2025-26 LA Kings? Nobody really knows yet, but as they prepare to kick off a five-game road trip in St. Louis on Tuesday, earning two points is beyond paramount.
Before getting to the lineup related topics, let’s talk anniversaries. On this date back in 1967, the Kings and Blues played each other for the very first time.
Heading into the first matchup with the Blues this season, coach Jim Hiller is still searching for answers at forward, on defense, and in net.
After starting the last game with Alex Laferriere in the 1C role temporarily vacated by Kopitar, LA’s bench boss eventually turned to a Fiala-Byfield-Kempe unit late in the game. That was a combo many Kings fans have dreamed of for the past few years — bringing it up regularly on social media. However, they didn’t get to witness it for a full 60 minutes. During Hiller’s postgame media scrum that night, it didn’t sound like he was in a hurry to keep them together either; at least not right away.
Speaking of Laferriere, he needs to get going if the team is to find success. Coming off a new contract signed this summer; he’s temporarily stuck in neutral on multiple fronts. For starters, he hasn’t found his offensive touch again, combined with some real challenges in the faceoff circle (since being asked to play center while Kopitar is out with a lower body injury).
And speaking of injuries, reinforcements may be close to returning. Kopitar traveled with the team and there is optimism he’ll be able to play during the second half of the road trip. Meanwhile, Darcy Kuemper and Corey Perry are expected to be suit up for tonight’s game against the Blues. To make the math work, Kopitar was moved to IR today and Perry has been activated.
Because of the timing (i.e. making it retroactive), Kopitar will be eligible to come off IR as soon as he’s ready. At that time, the Kings would then need to put Pheonix Copley or another player on waivers to create a spot for Kopitar. Currently, the Kings are carrying 13 healthy forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders — remember, Kuemper was never placed on IR.
Regardless of how Hiller aligns everybody to start the game, there’s no guarantee it stays that way all game. Nor is there any real guarantee the Kings lineup looks the same on Thursday either. For now, it’s just about earning two points and then moving on.
Statistically Speaking
— In 56 career games against the Blues, Perry has recorded 25 points (13G, 12A).
— Andrei Kuzmenko has scored two goals in each of his last two visits to Enterprise Center in St. Louis: March 28, 2023 (w/ VAN) and March 28, 2024 (w/ CGY). Overall, he has six points (5G, 1A) in seven career games vs. the Blues.
— Drew Doughty has nine points (1G, A) over his last nine matchups vs. St. Louis, dating back to Oct. 31, 2022. The veteran blueliner sits one goal shy of tying Rob Blake (161) for the most by a defenseman in LA Kings history.
— The Kings went 1-1-1 against the Blues last season
What You May Have Missed
— How Much Money will Corey Perry’s Injury Cost Him in Salary? LINK
— Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 249 with John Kelly, LA’s New PxP Voice LINK
— Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 248: Rob Blake Returns, Opens Up About His Past and Future LINK
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Blues
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Kuzmenko – Laferriere – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Armia
Foegele – Danault – Moore
Malott – Turcotte – Perry
Dumoulin – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Anderson – Ceci
Forsberg (starter TBD)
Kuemper
Likely scratches: (F) Helenius, (D) Moverare and (G) Forsberg
Injured Reserve: Burroughs, Kopitar
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 5:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised locally by FanDuel Sports. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
Across the Ice
St. Louis is coming off a 3-1 victory over Dallas on Saturday. Here’s how they lined up in that matchup:
Holloway – Thomas – Neighbours
Buchnevich – Suter – Snuggerud
Joseph – Schenn – Kyrou
Texier – Bjugstad – Walker
Fowler – Parayko
Broberg – Faulk
Tucker – Kessel
Binnington
On This Day in Kings History
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