A new season of Kings hockey is finally upon us, as LA coach Jim Hiller and his team are set to kick off their 2024-25 campaign in Buffalo on Thursday night.
This isn’t last year’s Kings team either that will be facing the Sabres. Hiller has installed a new system, structure, approach — call it whatever you’d like — and let’s not forget the 30% roster turnover. All in, LA management is looking for the collective group to play a more aggressive, physical, and fast style than in previous years.
To help bring these goals to life, GM Rob Blake brought in Warren Foegele and Tanner Jeannot to create depth and toughness among the top nine forwards. Both individuals fit the style of play Hiller is looking to get out of his team, as well as provide additional playoff experience that could prove useful come Game 83. On the defensive side, Blake signed Joel Edmundson to a four-year deal to help anchor the bottom defensive pair and provide stability on the back end. He also brings a ton of size, standing 6-foot-5 without skates. Fellow blueliner Kyle Burroughs was also added, and with Drew Doughty currently on LTIR, the 29-year-old Canadian will be a welcomed addition.
Digging a little deeper, optimism is plentiful surrounding potential breakout seasons from Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke; all of which is possibly more intriguing than any of the offseason moves. Both will be given more responsibility than ever before, especially in the case of Byfield. Shifting to his natural center position gives him the chance to possibly dominate on his own line, while also playing alongside an elite playmaker in Kevin Fiala. If that line can find sustained success, that would create major matchup problems for opponents all season long.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest question mark heading into the season is the goaltending. Over the summer, Blake shocked the hockey world with a trade for Darcy Kuemper returning for his second tenure in Los Angeles. Backing him up in the crease will be David Rittich, who was very effective last season down the stretch for LA. While neither individual is known for being an elite goalie so to speak, management believes that with the proper defensive structure and mindset in place, it is possible for Kuemper and Rittich to find success. Although not confirmed by Hiller just yet, the expectation is that Kuemper will get the majority of playing time this season, including being penciled in to start on opening night.
Statistically Speaking
— Anze Kopitar is set to begin his nineteenth season in the National Hockey League, all of which have come with the Kings. In 25 career games against the Sabres, Kopitar has 20 points, including nine goals.
— LA has historically struggled mightily in Buffalo. They come into tonight having dropped eight of their last 10 there, and 17 of their last 20. Last season, the Kings went 0-2-0 against the Sabres (including the game played at Crypto.com Arena) and were outscored 12-3.
— After being shutout in their last two trips to Buffalo, should the Kings fail to find the back of the net tonight, it would mark the first time in Sabres history that Buffalo has shut out an opponent in three consecutive home contests.
— Even more Sabres stats: Buffalo has registered 3.64 goals per game played against LA all-time, the highest mark the team has posted against any active NHL team.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Sanres
Laferriere – Kopitar – Kempe
Jeannot – Danault – Moore
Fiala – Byfield – Foegele
Lee – Turcotte – Lewis
Anderson – Spence
Gavrikov – Burroughs
Edmundson – Clarke
Kuemper (starter)
Rittich
Likely scratches: (F) Thomas (D) Englund, Jones
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 4:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised locally by Bally’s Sports. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app (which is the new home for Kings radio this season, they’ve moved off of the iHeart platform).
More on the ongoing TV situation here.
Across the Ice
Buffalo has started the season 0-2 and is coming off a 3-1 loss against the Devils on Saturday.
Here is how they lined up for that contest:
Peterka – Thompson – Touch
Kulich – Cozens – Quinn
Greenway – McLeod – Zucker
Malenstyn – Krebs – Lafferty
Dahlin – Jokiharju
Byram – Power
Samuelsson – Clifton
Levi
NOTE: Peterka is not expected to play vs. LA (concussion)
On This Day in Kings History
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