Tonight isn’t about ‘playing well’ — a phrase heard quite a bit over the past few weeks in LA — it’s about one thing and one thing only: two points.
At the moment, the Kings are hanging onto a playoff spot by a thread. Although they’re on the outside looking in when standings are sorted by points (as most sites list things), the more accurate way to view things is by points percentage. This takes into account games played. When doing this, the Kings are slotted into the second Wild Card spot; just barely. LA’s .533 points percentage is only a tick above Utah’s .532.
Sure, the Mammoth have played two more games, but that only matters if the Kings can win one or both of those ‘extra’ games to be played.
Coach Jim Hiller’s group has also given back any cushion they may have had on other Pacific Division teams just six weeks ago. Going 4-5-1 over your past 10 games isn’t helping. However, as crazy at it might sound, the Kings are still only six points out of first place. That’s three wins. Crazy times, indeed.
Of course, none of the math matters if the team can’t turn ‘playing well’ into wins.
So, here they go again. Following a tough loss on home ice just 48 hours ago, Hiller and his squad will give it another try tonight, in what will amount to the first of three critical games against division opponents.
First up, the Vegas Golden Knights. Tonight’s an interesting matchup for both clubs, to say the least. Management for both clubs would likely say their respective team hasn’t performed as expected thus far this season. Yet, despite those underwhelming results, both sides are still in the running for a division crown.
Of late, Hiller has been repeating that the Kings are playing better since the New Year, and that if they keep playing this way, consistent wins will eventually start to come. With a more competitive NHL than any time in recent memory — with so many teams still in the playoff race — the fact is, LA needs more offensive production to start winning some games. And it needs to happen quickly.
Sure, they get good enough goaltending and defense to win hockey games most nights, but the offense has been near the bottom of the league all season. LA’s 120 goals scored is third worst in the NHL. Part of that is injuries, no doubt. Even so, too many players have not performed to the level they are capable of (given past performance). Adrian Kempe has gone cold the last few weeks. Quinton Byfield has started to pick up the pace, but it’s still been a slow year for the young centerman from a production standpoint. Another guy who hasn’t looked like last year’s version of himself is Warren Foegele. The list just keeps going and going.
All in all, if the Kings want to prove they’re still a threat in the Pacific Division, now is the time. Up and down performances won’t cut it as the second half of the season is upon us. Playing better hockey since the calendar flipped to 2026 now must convert to wins.
With Anze Kopitar, Joel Armia, and Trevor Moore all expected to miss tonight’s game, Hiller’s lineup options remain limited. Further, no timelines have been established for their returns to action.
Corey Perry was not on the ice for morning skate, and it turns out it wasn’t just a maintenance day for a veteran. He’s back home for personal reasons.
Statistically Speaking
— Quinton Byfield has eight points in his last 10 games, including four goals.
— Darcy Kuemper has a record of 8-7-3 in 19 games vs. Vegas, along with .927 save percentage.
— The Kings have a power-play percentage of 25.9 in their last 10 games.
— The Los Angeles Kings have a record of 9-7-2 versus the Golden Knights at home all-time.
— For some positive news, there’s this:
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Golden Knights
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Malott – Laferriere– Kempe
Foegele – Byfield – Ward
Fiala – Turcotte – Kuzmenko
Lee – Helenius
Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci
Moverare
Kuemper (starter)
Forsberg
Likely scratches: (F) N/A and (D) N/A
Injured: Armia (day-to-day)
Injured Reserve: Kopitar, Moore
How to Watch the Game
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by TNT. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
With the television landscape changing at a rapid pace, we have all the latest news regarding the latest FanDuel issues here — including how some teams cancelling contracts impacts LA’s plans for the balance of their 2025-26 season.
Across the Ice
Vegas is coming off a 7-2 win over San Jose on Sunday. Here’s how they lined up in that matchup:
Barbashev – Eichel – Stone
Smith – Marner – Dorofeyev
Holtz – Hertl – Kolesar
Reinhardt – Sissons – Bowman
Lauzon – Theodore
Hanifin – Whitecloud
Hutton – Korczak
Lindbom
On This Day in Kings History
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