Olympic Update: Kings’ Stars Shine Bright-But Not Without Setbacks
It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for the Los Angeles Kings contingent at the 2026 Winter Olympics. From standout performances on the ice to a devastating injury blow, Day 3 and Day 4 of group play have delivered a little bit of everything-just not always the kind of drama Kings fans were hoping for.
Let’s break it down.
Joel Armia and Adrian Kempe: Teammates in L.A., Rivals in the Rings
When Finland squared off against Sweden on February 13, it wasn’t just a battle of hockey powerhouses-it was a head-to-head between Kings wingers Joel Armia (Finland) and Adrian Kempe (Sweden). And it was Armia who got the better of it.
Finland rolled to a convincing 4-1 win, and Armia was right in the thick of it, continuing what’s been a quietly dominant group stage for him. He picked up a shorthanded goal in that game, part of a four-point performance across Finland’s group play matchups.
The Kings winger has been a model of consistency-registering at least one point in every group game for Finland. That kind of production on the Olympic stage is no small feat.
Kempe, for his part, bounced back in a big way the following day.
Kempe Sparks Sweden in Key Win Over Slovakia
On February 14, Sweden needed a win over Slovakia to climb out of a second-place tie with Finland in Group B. And while Sweden did get the 5-3 win on the scoreboard, it wasn’t enough to win the group outright-Slovakia’s late third-period goal secured them the top spot and a bye to the quarterfinals.
Still, Kempe made his mark. The Kings winger was a force on special teams, scoring a power-play goal and adding an assist on a shorthanded tally. Both contributions came in the first two periods and helped Sweden control the pace early.
Kempe’s two-point performance was a timely reminder of what he brings to the table: speed, skill, and the ability to change a game in all situations. Sweden may not have won the group, but with Kempe heating up, they’re still a team to watch moving forward.
Finland Dominates Italy, Armia Stays Hot
Later that same morning, Finland put on an absolute clinic against Italy, cruising to an 11-0 win. It was total domination from start to finish, and once again, Armia found himself on the scoresheet-netting a goal and an assist to bring his total to four points in group play.
His goal? The one that pushed Finland into double digits.
Armia’s been Finland’s most reliable forward in group play, and among all Kings players in the Olympics, he leads in both goals (2) and total points (4). That includes a shorthanded goal against Sweden and a consistent presence in all three zones. Simply put, he’s doing everything Finland could ask for-and then some.
Kevin Fiala’s Olympic Run Ends in Heartbreak
Unfortunately, not all the news has been positive for Kings fans.
In Canada’s 5-1 win over Switzerland on February 13, Swiss forward Kevin Fiala suffered a lower-body injury after a collision near the boards with Canada’s Tom Wilson. Fiala was stretchered off the ice and has been ruled out for the remainder of the Olympics-and, more significantly, for the rest of the 2025-26 NHL season.
It’s a brutal blow for both Team Switzerland and the Kings. Fiala has been a key piece of L.A.’s top six, and losing him for the season changes the equation for the Kings’ playoff push. The exact timeline for his recovery hasn’t been detailed yet, but the impact is immediate and significant.
Looking Ahead
With group play wrapped up, the Olympic tournament now shifts into knockout mode. For the Kings players still in the hunt-Kempe with Sweden, Armia with Finland-the stakes are only getting higher. Both have shown they can rise to the occasion, and their performances so far have been a bright spot for Kings fans watching from afar.
But the loss of Fiala looms large. As the NHL season resumes, L.A. will need to find answers to fill the void left by one of their most dynamic offensive weapons.
For now, though, the spotlight remains on Olympic ice-where Kings players are still making waves, one game at a time.