A Season of Highs and Lows: Kings Aim for Playoff Glory
What a rollercoaster ride it's been for the Los Angeles Kings this season! With just eight games left in their regular season, the Kings have clawed their way back into the playoff picture, thanks to a thrilling overtime victory against St. Louis.
This season has been a tale of ups and downs for LA, swinging between disappointment and hope. Yet, here they are, under the guidance of coach DJ Smith, poised to not only secure a playoff spot but potentially put some distance between themselves and the Nashville Predators, who are hot on their trail.
Tonight, the Kings continue their homestand at Crypto.com Arena, facing off against Nashville in a crucial battle for postseason positioning. Both teams are locked in a fierce fight for a wild card spot, making this matchup one to watch.
With this game marking the second half of a rare back-to-back at home, expect a change in the net. Darcy Kuemper is slated to start, giving Anton Forsberg a breather after last night's efforts.
Beyond the playoff implications, tonight's game offers a special moment for the Kings' faithful. Captain Anze Kopitar will be celebrated in a pre-game ceremony for becoming the franchise's all-time points leader. On March 14, Kopitar surpassed Kings legend Marcel Dionne with his 1,308th career point.
While this ceremony will be a proud moment for both Kopitar and the organization, the main event is the game itself. Every contest is a reminder that Kopitar's career is finite, and a win tonight would be a crucial step toward extending his season and giving fans more opportunities to see the future Hall of Famer in action.
Game Day Highlights
Statistically Speaking
- Trevor Moore made history with his first career overtime goal, leading the Kings to a 2-1 victory over the Blues. He became the first California-born player to score an overtime goal for a California-based NHL team.
- Adrian Kempe notched his 28th goal of the season last night, marking his 40th career power-play goal. He’s the 21st player in team history to reach this milestone on the man-advantage.
- Brandt Clarke has been a standout against Nashville, tallying four points in his last four games against the Predators, including a multi-assist performance last October.
- Artemi Panarin is coming off his 50th assist of the year, marking his eighth 50-assist season. This achievement places him among an elite group of players born outside North America.
Kings Projected Lineup vs. Predators
Panarin - Kopitar - Kempe
Moore - Byfield - Laferriere
Armia - Laughton - Wright
Joseph - Turcotte - Ward
Dumoulin - Doughty
Edmundson - Clarke
Anderson - Ceci
Kuemper (starter)
Forsberg
Likely scratches: (F) Helenius, Malott and (D) Moverare
Injured Reserve: Fiala, Kuzmenko
How to Watch the Game
The puck drops at 7:30 pm Pacific Time, with the game televised on FanDuel Sports. Fans can also tune into the Kings radio feed via the ESPN LA app.
Across the Ice
Nashville enters tonight's game following a narrow 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay. Here's a look at their recent lineup:
L’Heureux - O’Reilly - Stamkos
Forsberg - Haula - Marchessault
Jost - Wood - Evangelista
Schaefer - Svechkov - Kemell
Skjei - Josi
Hague - Perbix
Wilsby - Barron
Annunen
On This Day in Kings History
On April 2, 1977, Marcel Dionne became the first player in Kings history to score 50 goals in a season, achieving his 11th career hat trick and reaching 120 points in a 7-2 victory over the Minnesota North Stars.
Tonight's game is set to be a memorable one, not just for the playoff implications, but for the celebration of a Kings legend. Let’s see if the Kings can seize the moment and continue their push toward the postseason. #GoKingsGo