This is the week that likely determines what’s next for the LA Kings. And it hasn’t gotten off to the start many were hoping for. While coming away with a point in Utah isn’t really the worst things that could have happened — they needed two, they didn’t get it.
Regardless, coach DJ Smith’s group is in Calgary tonight, where they’re set to take on the Flames. Once again, it’s another must-win, no-excuse contest.
There is simply no other answer tonight. If the Kings are serious about their intention to make it to game 83, they must get two points tonight. To do so, they’re likely going to need a better effort from Darcy Kuemper in goal and a tighter defensive showing.
With the struggles of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin reemerging vs. the Mammoth, and Kuemper just not looking like the same goaltender who was lights out last season, LA is running out of mistakes they can overcome this late in the year. Although the effort and intensity seem to have picked up under Smith, many recent games have also featured a breakdown on defense, and it’s been hurting the team on a regular basis.
Overall, the offense seems to be banking on the top two forward lines to provide all of the offense, as the bottom six have provided energy, but little to no goals. Last year, when things were clicking offensively for the group, all four lines were rolling and dangerous. Because of injuries and other circumstances, LA doesn’t have that same luxury currently; scoring depth has largely been reduced to the madness that is Artemi Panarin — he just finds a way to carry the offense in new and unique ways. Will it be enough tonight?
A win could springboard into a much-needed streak. A loss would push a desperate team ever so closer to a likely end of their playoffs hopes.
Statistically Speaking
— Captain Anze Kopitar is set to play in his 37th career road game against the Flames, which trails only Brent Burns (40 GP) and Corey Perry (40 GP) for the most visits to the Scotiabank Saddledome among active players.
— Alex Laferriere recorded his 18th goal of the season Sunday night in Salt Lake City, tied for the second-most on the team behind Adrian Kempe (26 G). With one more tally, Laferriere will tie his single-season career high in goals (19 in 2024-25) and hit the 100-point plateau in his career.
— Adrian Kempe is set to skate in his 700th career NHL game on Tuesday. By doing so, Kempe would become the second Swedish-born player to appear in as many games for the Kings, behind Mattia Norstrom (780 GP), and the 11th overall to do so in franchise history. He would also be the 12th skater from the 2014 NHL Draft to play in 700 games.
— In 14 career starts against the Calgary Flames, goaltender Darcy Kuemper has posted an 8-3-2 record with a .949 save-percentage (SV%) and a 1.77 goals-against average (GAA). Among all netminders who have faced Calgary at least 10 times, Kuemper’s SV% against the Flames is the highest in NHL history while his GAA is the third lowest behind only Jamie Storr (1.64 GAA) and Ray Emery (1.49 GAA). Additionally, Kuemper’s four shutouts (SO) against the Flames are the second most among active goaltenders behind Jonathan Quick (5 SO).
— Drew Doughty has posted 32 points in 60 career games against Calgary, the second most among active blueliners behind Brent Burns.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Flames
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Panarin – Kopitar – Kempe
Moore – Byfield – Laferriere
Armia – Laughton – Wright
Turcotte – Helenius – Joseph (TBD)
Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci
Kuemper (starter)
Forsberg
Likely scratches: (F) Malott, Ward and (D) Moverare
Injured Reserve: Fiala, Kuzmenko (injury status updates here)
How to Watch the Game
Puck drop is set for 6:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by FanDuel Sports. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
Across the Ice
Calgary is coming off a 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday. Here’s how they lined up in that matchup:
Coleman – Backlund -Farabee
Gridin – Frost – Coronato
Sharangovich -Strome -Olofsson
Pospisil -Gross* -Klapka
Bahl – Whitecloud
Maatta -Brzustewicz
Hanley -Parekh
Cooley
On This Day in Kings History
MORE LA KINGS NEWS:
Follow @mayorNHL
Continue reading...