The Los Angeles Kings take on the Seattle Kraken in a crucial Pacific Division showdown, with two big points on the line as they prepare for the midseason break. The game is set for Wednesday, February 4th, at 7:00 PM Pacific, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Key Matchup:
- The Kings' forward Kevin Fiala has been on fire against the Kraken, scoring in both games this season, including a goal in Los Angeles in December. Since joining the Kings in 2022, Fiala has 15 points (4-11-15) in 13 games against Seattle, leading the team and tying him for sixth in the NHL in assists and seventh in points.
Lineup and Injuries:
- The Kings held an optional morning skate today, with goaltender Darcy Kuemper expected to start between the pipes. Kuemper has a 1-3-1 record against Seattle, with a .880 save percentage and a 3.04 goals-against average in five career starts.
- The projected lineup includes Moore, Kopitar, and Armia on the top line, Perry, Laferriere, and Kempe on the second, and Fiala, Byfield, and Kuzmenko on the third. Malott, Helenius, and Ward will be on the fourth line.
- The defense pairs are Dumoulin and Doughty, Edmundson and Clarke, and Moverare and Ceci.
- Jacob Moverare is set to return to the lineup, replacing the injured Mikey Anderson, who has an upper-body injury. Moverare will be paired with Cody Ceci.
Opponent's Performance:
- The Kraken suffered a setback, losing to the Anaheim Ducks yesterday, ending their four-game winning streak. Forward Eeli Tolvanen has been a standout against the Kings, with multiple assists in both games this season, including a 3-2 Seattle victory in December.
Focus and Motivation:
- The Kings need to maintain their focus and momentum as they approach the midseason break. With two games remaining before the Olympic break, the team must treat each game as a business-as-usual situation.
- Head Coach Jim Hiller emphasizes the importance of staying focused and dialed in, especially with the team's recent road success. The Kings are determined to keep their mindset sharp and approach the next two games with the same intensity as their road trip.
Injury Updates:
- Mikey Anderson and Alex Turcotte are both out with upper-body injuries. Anderson was injured after a hit from Carolina forward Jordan Martinook, while Turcotte has missed the last four games with a similar injury.
- Brian Dumoulin, who had a maintenance day yesterday, is expected to play tonight, providing a veteran presence on the defense.
Key Takeaways:
- The Kings must execute well off the rush and get in front of the goaltender to counter Seattle's strong defense.
- Jacob Moverare's return provides a reliable option on the blueline, and his pairing with Cody Ceci could be a key factor in the game's outcome.
- With two massive points on the line, the Kings are determined to secure a win against the Kraken, maintaining their position in the standings and building momentum heading into the break.
