Get ready for an exciting showdown as the Los Angeles Kings take on the Vegas Golden Knights tonight! This highly anticipated match is part of the Kings' three-game homestand, and they're determined to bounce back with a win after a recent slump.
But here's the catch: playing well isn't always enough. The Kings have shown promising performances, but with only three teams in the NHL having fewer wins, it's time to convert those good games into victories.
Let's dive into the details.
The Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Who: Los Angeles Kings (19-16-10) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (21-11-12)
- What: Regular-Season Game 46/82
- When: Wednesday, January 14, 7:00 PM Pacific Time
- Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- How to Follow: Catch the video action on FanDuel Sports Network, listen to the audio on ESPN LA 710, the ESPN LA App, or the LA Kings App. Stay updated on Twitter via @dooleylak and @lakings.
In their previous encounter, the Kings secured a thrilling 6-5 shootout win in Las Vegas, with multi-point games from Andrei Kuzmenko and Quinton Byfield. Kuzmenko, in particular, has been a standout performer against the Golden Knights, with eight career points from just eight games.
Team Updates:
- Kings: The team had a full-team morning skate today after a well-deserved day off yesterday. Look for goaltender Darcy Kuemper to start tonight, as he's been on a roll with seven starts in the last eight games. Kuemper has an impressive record against Vegas, with a .927 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average.
- Golden Knights: Vegas is on a winning streak, having won four consecutive games, including a dominant 7-2 victory over San Jose on Sunday. However, they'll be without defenseman Brayden McNabb and forward William Karlsson due to injuries.
Lineups:
Kings:
- Malott - Laferriere - Kempe
- Foegele - Byfield - Ward
- Fiala - Turcotte - Kuzmenko
- Lee - Helenius
Defensemen:
- Anderson - Doughty
- Edmundson - Clarke
- Dumoulin - Ceci
- Moverare
Goalies:
- Kuemper
- Forsberg
Golden Knights:
- Barbashev - Eichel - Stone
- Smith - Marner - Dorofeyev
- Holtz - Hertl - Kolesar
- Reinhardt - Sissons - Bowman
Defensemen:
- Lauzon - Theodore
- Hanifin - Whitecloud
- Hutton - Korczak
Goalies:
- Lindbom
Key Absences and Returns:
- Forward Corey Perry will be missing for the Kings tonight due to a family illness.
- Defenseman Jacob Moverare will be back in the lineup.
- Forwards Joel Armia and Trevor Moore are skating again but are not expected to play tonight.
- Anze Kopitar also skated today but is not yet ready for action.
Storyline of the Day: Playing Well Isn't Enough
It's a delicate balance. The Kings have shown they can play well, but now they need to translate that into wins. With the season progressing, every point matters, and the Kings are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race.
Drew Doughty, the team's stalwart defender, has been vocal about the need to turn things around. He acknowledged the team's good performances but emphasized that it's time to start winning these well-played games.
Jim Hiller, the team's analyst, pointed to a recent stretch of games where the Kings played their desired style but still came up short. Over the last ten games, they've managed a 4-5-1 record, despite feeling they've played better hockey.
And this is the part most people miss: the Kings set high expectations for themselves, and playing well isn't enough to meet those expectations. The team needs to start winning, and winning consistently.
The Kings held a team meeting after a disappointing loss to Tampa Bay, and it seemed to have the desired effect. They followed it up with two wins over Minnesota, but the recent losses have shown that the armor of complacency might be creeping back in.
As we head into tonight's game, the Kings are clinging to a playoff spot, and it's time to make a statement. They need to turn their improved play into wins, especially against the division leaders, the Vegas Golden Knights.
3 Things to Watch For:
- Injury Updates: All three players currently on the day-to-day injury list hit the ice today, including forwards Joel Armia and Trevor Moore, who have been skating. Anze Kopitar also skated, but there's no immediate return expected.
- Corey Perry's Absence: With Perry out, look for forward Taylor Ward to step up and see some added minutes. Ward has been a pleasant surprise, fitting nicely into a complementary role since being called up from the AHL.
- Special Teams: The Kings' special teams, especially the power play, have been a bright spot recently. With Armia and Moore out, the primary penalty killers are under more pressure, so limiting penalties and finding opportunities on the power play will be crucial against a strong Vegas team.
So, will the Kings rise to the occasion and secure a much-needed win tonight? We'll find out soon enough!
Join us at Crypto.com Arena or tune in to witness this thrilling matchup. Let's hope the Kings provide us with a memorable victory!
