Even through NHL preseason schedules are often contained to rather regional matchups — often to minimize travel expenses and/or down time away from training camp — this year’s Kings exhibition slate pushes the idea to new limits. With seven games on the docket coming into camp, four of them were going to be against Anaheim and two against Utah. The other game? That’s tonight in Vegas, where coach Jim Hiller will bring a squad to face the Golden Knights.
After beginning camp with 58 active players, plus an injured Corey Perry, the first round of trimming that list to a more manageable sized group came on Monday. Headlining a group of four players returned to their junior teams was prized prospect Carter George. He stopped 19 of 20 shots faced on Sunday and looked good doing so. At just 19-yyears-old, the move was not a surprise. However, what did raise a few eyebrows was the fact defensemen Henry Brzustewicz and Jared Woolley have stuck around for a few more days. Both will eventually make their way back to OHL London — just not quite yet. In fact, not only are they still on LA’s camp roster, Brzustewicz is traveling to Vegas with the team this afternoon for tonight’s game. We’ll have to see if Woolley is included in tomorrow’s game group.
Regarding any other lineup comments vs. the Golden Knights, it appears Hiller and GM Ken Holland will continue to evaluate the team’s No. 1 prospect Liam Greentree by giving him a second straight start. Beyond that, it’s still early in camp, so guys are slowly being rotated into action. Much of the roster is filled with players who didn’t get into Sunday’s game, so they’ll be making their 2025-26 debut. Yet, there are several returning players, as well — including: Alex Turcotte, Andre Lee, and a pair of defensemen fighting for an opening night roster spot.
“It stats with, they are just two excellent team guys,” Hiller said of Jacob Moverare and Kyle Burroughs playing on Sunday; both guys will go again tonight. “Neither of them played as much as they wanted to last year, but they understand the systems and they’re there to battle and compete. They’re ready to go at it again this year and try to earn ice time — whether it’s in the top six, whether it’s [as a seventh D], whatever it is. They’re just two really good guys. I’m happy to see them get out there and get some really good ice time; big minutes at the end, game on the line. I know it’s only exhibition, but they’re there to compete.”
Suggested Pre-Game Reading
— Does the Perry Injury create room for Greentree to make the opening night roster? LINK
— The List: Kings Could Lose These Players to Waivers During Training Camp LINK
VIDEO: Empire Classic Highlights, Kings def. Ducks 3-1 LINK
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Ducks
The following players have been confirmed for the trip to Vegas. We’ve initially aligned most of them using some of what Hiller has been showing during camp thus far. However, this alignment is purely a guesstimate. Article will be updated during pregame warmups.
Moore – Danault – Foegele
Greentree – Turcotte – Wright
Pinelli – Lawrence – Ward
Lee – Helenius – Malott
Dumoulin – Ceci
Moverare – Burroughs
Dvorak – Brzustewicz
Forsberg
Copley
Likely scratches: (F) Guttman, (D) Kirsanov, and (G) Saville
For those wondering why guys like Kopitar and Kempe aren’t playing, keep in mind most veterans play around 2-3 preseason games. The Kings have seven total on their schedule. Also, the NHL uses a preseason rule where teams only need to suit up a minimum of eight veterans (defined as players who skated in 30+ NHL games last season or 100+ career NHL games). For some odd reason, players who were first round draft picks the prior year also qualify. This rule is intended to allow teams some flexibility in roster assembly — allowing them to look at prospects, etc. — while also providing fans the opportunity to see some known stars, as well.
How to Watch the Game
Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm Pacific Time and will be available on NHL Network TV. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.
Following tonight, LA will have five preseason games remaining and all can be viewed on TV. For a quick overview of each game and where to watch them, see this article here.
Across the Ice
Here is how Vegas lined up for their first preseason game:
On This Day in Kings History
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