Will history repeat itself?
Last year, the Kings got off to a decent enough start, posting an 8-3-3 record through their first 14 games. Currently, LA sits just three points back of that 19-point total. However, there could be a similar pivot point.
Following a disappointing game in San Jose last November, the Kings came home and earned a dominant 4-1 win over Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets. Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe scored that night.
More importantly, it was a turning point. The game served as a statement. Coach Jim Hiller showed the world that when his team gave a solid 60-minute effort, they could more than just hang with the NHL’s elite teams, they deserved to be in the conversation as a contender. LA went on to win six straight games. The hot streak didn’t stop there either. Over 16 games — a stretch that went well into January — the Kings only had two regulation losses.
Darcy Kuemper not only shutout the Jets on Tuesday, Kempe and Fiala scored too. It has the making for a similar story… if the Kings continue playing the way they did against Winnipeg 48 hours ago.
Their first test will come against the defending champion Panthers, who arrive in town after getting stomped by the Ducks just a few nights ago. Florida has back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, so they remain a threat to rise up at any time. Despite facing significant injuries to its roster, the Panthers provide yet another tough opponent that LA will need to deal with here in the early part of the season.
When looking at what went right last time out, give Hiller his flowers for the lineup changes he put in place. The newly formed top line of Armia-Kopitar-Kempe appeared to have instant chemistry, resulting in an early goal from Kempe. On defense, returning to the opening night alignment (led by an Anderson-Doughty pairing), worked flawlessly.
Statistically Speaking
— To help celebrate their latest World Series championship, several members of the Dodgers will be on hand for tonight’s game at Crypto.com Arena — including pitchers Blake Snell and Emmett Sheehan.
— The Kings went 1-1-0 against the Panthers last season.
— After rising to the special teams challenge on Tuesday, where they handled Winnipeg’s top 10 ranked group on both sides of the puck, LA will now attempt to tackle a Florida team ranking 17th on the power play 20%) and 23rd on the penalty kill (75%).
— Drew Doughty has good buddy Corey Perry by his side now, but he also loved playing with Brad Marchand back in February’s 4 Nations tournament — something he spoke about here.
— More Doughty: He scored his 162nd career goal on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg, surpassing Rob Blake (161) for the most goals by a defenseman in Kings history.
— Even more: On this date 17 years ago to the day (Nov. 6, 2008), Doughty collected his first two career NHL assists against the Florida Panthers.
— Andrei Kuzmenko has a three-game point streak against the Panthers (2G, 2A), including a pair of game-winning goals, that dates back to Oct. 21, 2023 when he was with the Canucks.
— Anze Kopitar is just 10 goals away from 450, and 25 points away from being the all-time leader in Kings history.
What You May Have Missed
On this week’s KOTP episode, they looked at Brandt Clarke’s recent usage, trade rumors involving the Flyers, coach Jim Hiller promoting Joel Armia to the top line, Warren Foegele’s injury status, how the depth chart at center may look once Anze Kopitar retires, is Andrei Kuzmenko in the doghouse, why Mikey Anderson is back up on the top defensive unit, Drew Doughty’s latest milestone, where Adrian Kempe might ultimately land in Kings history, Edmundson vs. Dumoulin, and much more. Give it a listen here:
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Panthers
If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.
Armia – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Kuzmenko – Danault – Moore
Malott – Turcotte – Perry
Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci
Kuemper (starter)
Forsberg
Likely scratches: (F) Helenius and (D) Moverare
Injured Reserve: Foegele
Key Game Info
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised locally by ESPN+/HULU. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
Get to know new Kings play-by-play voice John Kelly by checking out his interview here. He tells some interesting stories about joining the Kings broadcasts and what it was like calling games against them for most of his career.
Across the Ice
Florida is coming off a 7-3 loss in Anaheim on Tuesday. Here’s how they lined up in that matchup:
Luostarinen – Lundell – Marchand
Verhaeghe – Rodrigues – Reinhart
Boqvist – Bennett – Samoskevich
Greer – Schwindt – Gregor
Forsling – Ekblad
Mikkola – Jones
Sebrango – Petry
Bobrovsky *
* NOTE: the only goalie on the ice at yesterday’s Panthers practice in El Segundo was Tarasov
On This Day in Kings History
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