Matchup: Los Angeles Kings vs. Seattle Kraken
The Kings are looking to cap off their road trip with a strong finish against the Kraken. Fresh off a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth, they hope to take two more points tonight. With the fans in Seattle excited, it’s a great time for the Kings to shine.
Head-to-Head Highlights: Last season, forwards Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala shone against Seattle, each racking up four points. Fiala, known for his impressive passing, stands third in NHL history with 16 assists against the Kraken. Kempe shares the record for most goals by a King against Seattle, showcasing his knack for finding the net.
Kings’ Roster Updates: The Kings held a morning skate at Climate Pledge Arena today. Goalie Anton Forsberg is set to make his first start this month. With a 3-1-0 record against the Kraken and a strong save percentage, he’s ready to take on Seattle. The team’s lineup features some shifts, including Jeff Malott stepping in for Andrei Kuzmenko.
The Kings’ forwards are:
- Laferriere – Kopitar – Kempe
- Fiala – Byfield – Armia
- Foegele – Danault – Moore
- Malott – Turcotte – Perry
This matchup is crucial for both teams. The Kraken enter on a six-game slump, while the Kings aim to maintain their offensive momentum.
Kraken Insights: Seattle’s Jordan Eberle has been effective against the Kings, averaging over a point per game in their encounters. As the Kraken’s captain, he’s a key player to watch tonight.
The Fiala Factor: Adrian Kempe recently praised Fiala’s unstoppable talent when he’s on fire. In their last game, Fiala showcased his creativity and set up some beautiful plays. His ability to make dynamic passes has put him on a 60-point trajectory this season, but he can easily reach 80 points if he continues this form.
Fiala and Kempe are vital for the Kings, especially as both teams struggle to score. The Kraken rank last in goals per 60 minutes, while the Kings aren’t far behind. This makes every goal more critical, and tonight’s matchup could hinge on their performance.
Defenseman Mikey Anderson emphasized the importance of scoring while maintaining strong defense: “The more you score and don’t give up anything, it’s better for everyone.” With ten goals in the past two games, the Kings are on a roll, and they hope to keep this momentum going.
Key Players to Watch:
- Jeff Malott – Bringing a strong forechecking presence.
- Joel Armia – Elevated to the power play, looking to maximize his scoring chances.
- Anze Kopitar – Recently scoring against all NHL teams except the Kings, he’s made history by doing so.
The puck drops at 7 PM Pacific. Let’s see if the Kings can continue their winning streak tonight in Seattle!
