The Los Angeles Kings are about to embark on a pivotal stretch that could shape the rest of their season-and it all starts tonight in St. Louis.
With a six-game road trip on deck, the Kings (20-16-13) open things up against the Blues (19-24-8) at Enterprise Center, kicking off a journey that spans the West and then dives headfirst into five straight matchups against Eastern Conference teams. For head coach Jim Hiller and recently appointed GM Ken Holland, this stretch isn’t just about collecting points-it’s a litmus test for the roster, especially when it comes to decisions looming ahead of the trade deadline.
This trip could go a long way in determining what tweaks, if any, the Kings make to their top-nine forward group. With the Pacific Division standings tightly contested, every game matters, and this road swing offers a chance to either solidify their postseason push or highlight areas that need addressing.
The good news? The Kings are getting healthier at just the right time.
Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is expected to return to the crease tonight after missing time with an injury suffered early in a win over the Rangers. His presence adds stability between the pipes as the Kings look to reset defensively after a stretch of inconsistent performances. Kuemper’s ability to control rebounds and settle the defensive zone will be key against a Blues team that thrives off second-chance opportunities.
Also back in the fold: veteran defenseman Drew Doughty and forward Corey Perry. Doughty’s return is a major boost on the blue line-not just for his minutes, but for his leadership and ability to quarterback the breakout. Perry, meanwhile, brings grit and playoff-tested experience to a forward group that’s still finding its identity under Hiller.
Here’s how the Kings are expected to line up tonight in St. Louis:
Projected Forward Lines:
- Corey Perry - Alex Laferriere - Adrian Kempe
- Joel Armia - Quinton Byfield - Warren Foegele
- Kevin Fiala - Alex Turcotte - Andrei Kuzmenko
- Jeff Malott - Sammy Helenius - Taylor Ward
Projected Defensive Pairings:
- Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
- Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
- Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci
Goaltenders:
- Starter: Darcy Kuemper
- Backup: Anton Forsberg
- Healthy Scratch: Jacob Moverare
The Kings are leaning on a mix of youth and experience, with players like Byfield and Laferriere continuing to grow into bigger roles, while veterans like Fiala and Perry provide scoring punch and savvy. Brandt Clarke continues to flash upside on the back end, and with Doughty beside him, the Kings are hoping that pairing can eat tough minutes and tilt the ice in their favor.
St. Louis will counter with Joel Hofer in net, and while the Blues have had their struggles this season, they’re not a team to overlook-especially on home ice. The Kings will need to bring energy early and avoid the kind of slow starts that have plagued them at times this year.
Game Info:
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 24
- Time: 4:00 p.m. PT
- Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network West
- Streaming: ESPN+
- Radio: ESPN LA App
This road trip isn’t just another stretch on the calendar-it’s a defining moment in the Kings’ season. With Kuemper back, Doughty anchoring the blue line, and a forward group that’s starting to find its rhythm, Los Angeles has a real opportunity to make a statement.
It starts tonight in St. Louis.