The Los Angeles Kings are starting to find their stride again, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Under interim head coach Jim Hiller, the Kings have rattled off three straight wins, including a solid 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings - a team that’s been no slouch in the East this season. Now, with momentum finally swinging back in their favor, the Kings (22-16-13) head into Buffalo for a key cross-conference matchup against the Sabres (30-17-5).
This isn’t just another game on the schedule. With the playoff race tightening in the Western Conference, every point matters - and tonight’s game could be a pivotal one.
A win on the road at KeyBank Center would potentially push the Kings into playoff position, something that seemed to be slipping out of reach just a few weeks ago. But with their recent surge, LA is right back in the thick of it.
What’s been especially encouraging is how the Kings have handled themselves away from home. While their form at Crypto.com Arena has been inconsistent at best over the past couple of months, they’ve continued to bank points on the road - and that’s been a lifeline in keeping their postseason hopes alive. That road resilience will be tested tonight against a Sabres team that’s been one of the more consistent squads in the East.
How to Watch: Kings vs. Sabres
- Location: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
- TV: FanDuel Sports Network West
- Streaming: ESPN+
- Radio: ESPN LA App
Projected Kings Lineup vs. Buffalo
Forwards
- Corey Perry - Alex Laferriere - Adrian Kempe
- Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Warren Foegele
- Kevin Fiala - Joel Armia - Andrei Kuzmenko
- Jeff Malott - Sammy Helenius - Taylor Ward
Defensemen
- Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
- Brian Dumoulin - Brandt Clarke
- Jacob Moverare - Cody Ceci
- Joel Edmundson (healthy scratch)
Goaltenders
- Darcy Kuemper
- Anton Forsberg
Projected Starting Goalie for Buffalo: Alex Lyon
There’s no denying that the Kings’ depth is being tested, but it’s also starting to show signs of gelling. The top line of Perry, Laferriere, and Kempe has brought a mix of veteran savvy and youthful energy, while Byfield continues to grow into his role as a two-way presence down the middle. Fiala’s offensive instincts remain a key X-factor, and the addition of Kuzmenko adds another layer of creativity to the middle six.
On the back end, Drew Doughty continues to anchor the blue line with his usual poise, and the pairing of Dumoulin and Clarke is starting to show some chemistry. Clarke’s puck-moving ability could be a difference-maker against a Sabres team that thrives in transition.
In net, Darcy Kuemper is expected to get the nod. He’ll be going up against Alex Lyon, who’s quietly put together a strong campaign for Buffalo. Goaltending could very well be the swing factor tonight - and Kuemper will need to be sharp early, especially if the Kings want to quiet the Sabres’ home crowd and dictate the pace.
Bottom line: this is a big one for LA. The Kings are trending in the right direction, and if they can carry their recent form into Buffalo, they’ll be right back in the playoff picture out West. It’s the kind of game that can tilt a season - and Hiller’s group knows it.