Perhaps the headline should have read — ‘Hiller (Possibly) Prepared to Mix it Up in Minnesota.’
Three games into the young season, and the Kings are still figuring out exactly the kind of team they are and will be this season. To be expected, of course, when you consider the presence of a new GM and several new players coming into a new system and style of play for Los Angeles.
One could argue the Kings have opened their 2025-26 campaign against the three toughest teams in the Western Conference, and it wouldn’t be a far-fetched argument by any stretch. However, one win in three games is sure to leave a sour taste in coach Jim Hiller’s mouth because of the expectations the LA organization has placed upon itself over the past few months.
Tonight presents yet another challenge, as the Kings pay a visit to Minnesota to finish a quick two-game road trip. Suiting up for the Wild will be the league’s highest-paid player, Kirill Kaprizov.
After going 0-for-6 on the power play during their loss in Winnipeg on Saturday — and a game where LA had a lead late in the second period — it’s already time for some changes apparently.
A possible fix?
Reports from practice on Sunday noted that Hiller had switched up his defensive pairings. When it comes to the third pairing of Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, their ‘under-the-hood’ numbers have not been good; perhaps forcing Hiller to make a move early in the season to try to fix it. If everything holds, look for Dumoulin to be paired with Drew Doughty and for Mikey Anderson to drop down to play alongside Ceci. We wouldn’t spend too much time labeling them the first pair vs. the third pair. Case in point, Edmundson-Clarke are listed as the second pair, yet haven’t played the second most minutes. In-game deployment and usage takes a variety of factors into consideration, including both sides of the special teams equation.
Could Sammy Helenius draw in for the first time this season to add some size on the fourth line? The likely answer is not yet, especially with how much Hiller has loved the play of Joel Armia to start the year. Jeff Malott is also an option to come out, but he has played a similar role as Helenius would, while providing a little offense as well. At the end of the day, Hiller likely won’t switch up his most consistent line thus far….or will he?
Statistically Speaking
— The Kings have lost six of their last nine stops in Minnesota. All-time, they hold a 17-17-3-7 record when playing in the State of Hockey.
— The aforementioned Edmundson-Clake pairing has yet to be scored on this season.
— Kevin Fiala is riding a six-game point streak (2G, 6A) vs. Minnesota, dating back to Oct. 19, 2023.
— Warren Foegele has scored four goals in six career road games against the Minnesota Wild, dating back to Oct. 13, 2018.
— Anze Kopitar skates into town riding a three-game season-opening points streak (all assists). He’s now started eight different seasons with a point streak of at least three games in his career; this is the first time since a four-game stretch to begin the 2021-22 campaign.
What You May Have Missed
Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 246: Talking Defense, Road Tripping LINK
— Reign Recap: Thomas and Chromiak Score in Ontario’s First Victory of the Season LINK
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Wild
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Foegele – Danault – Moore
Malott – Turcotte – Armia
Dumoulin – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Anderson – Ceci
Kuemper
Forsberg
Likely scratches: (F) Helenius and (D) Moverare
Injured Reserve: Burroughs (eligible to come off when ready)
Injured: Perry (initially reported as 6-8 weeks, , and he’s already back skating)
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
Minnesota is coming off a 7-4 defeat against Columbus on Saturday. Here’s how they’re expected to lineup tonight:
On This Day in Kings History
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