Joseph was a last minute addition to the Kings lineup on Monday, slotting in for Adrian Kempe, who was a late scratch due to a lower-body injury. Joseph has two goals and nine assists in 40 games this season.
Kempe was a last-minute scratch on Monday, with the Kings only announcing his absence minutes before puck drop. Kempe took full part in warmups and it's unclear when exactly he suffered the injury. We should get an update on his status ahead of the Kings' game against the Flyers on Thursday.
The Kings are well within reach of a playoff spot, but they have failed to string together consistent play and will need Kuemper to be a steadying force down the stretch. Despite struggling straight out of the Olympic break, posting an ugly 4.54 GAA and .849 SV% in three games (1-2-0), the 35-year-old Kuemper has performed much better in his last two outings (1-0-1), posting a 2.00 GAA and .913 SV%. The Kings enter Monday's contest as slight -111 road favourites against a surging New York Rangers team that is riding a four-game winning streak.
The Kings are well within reach of a playoff spot, but they have failed to string together consistent play and will need Kuemper to be a steadying force down the stretch. Despite struggling straight out of the Olympic break, posting an ugly 4.54 GAA and .849 SV% in three games (1-2-0), the 35-year-old Kuemper has performed much better in his last two outings (1-0-1), posting a 2.00 GAA and .913 SV%. The Kings enter Monday's contest as slight -111 road favourites against a surging New York Rangers team that is riding a four-game winning streak.
The Kings are battling to stay in playoff contention but have not been able to secure victories regularly, including games with Kuemper tending the twine. The 35-year-old veteran goalie has lost four of his last five starts (1-3-1), posting an ugly 3.84 GAA and .857 SV%. The Kings enter Friday's contest as +125 road underdogs against the New York Islanders, a team they defeated 5-3 less than two weeks ago.
The Kings are battling to stay in playoff contention but have not been able to secure victories regularly, including games with Kuemper tending the twine. The 35-year-old veteran goalie has lost four of his last five starts (1-3-1), posting an ugly 3.84 GAA and .857 SV%. The Kings enter Friday's contest as +125 road underdogs against the New York Islanders, a team they defeated 5-3 less than two weeks ago.
Kuemper allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, continuing a downward trend for the veteran goalie. The 35-year-old Kuemper started the season with a dazzling 2.19 GAA and .917 SV% in his first 23 appearances (10-6-6), but has a concerning 3.53 GAA and .866 SV% in his last 16 (5-7-3). The Kings enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team coming off a disappointing 5-4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kuemper allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, continuing a downward trend for the veteran goalie. The 35-year-old Kuemper started the season with a dazzling 2.19 GAA and .917 SV% in his first 23 appearances (10-6-6), but has a concerning 3.53 GAA and .866 SV% in his last 16 (5-7-3). The Kings enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins team coming off a disappointing 5-4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Kings have received more consistent goaltending lately from Anton Forsberg and, with the team struggling to remain in playoff contention, will turn to him on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 33-year-old Swedish goalie was solid in a 4-2 losing effort to the league-leading Colorado Avalanche last week, saving 35 of 38 shots (.921 SV%). He has a 1.59 GAA and .955 SV% in his last two games (1-1-0). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +130 road underdogs against a Blue Jackets team that is 3-0-2 in their last five games.
Byfield has missed two consecutive games due to an illness, but could play on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 23-year-old Byfield has been held off the scoresheet in eight of his last 12 games. He has 33 points (13G / 20A) in 58 games this season.
Laughton was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2024-25 trade deadline and has been flipped before the 2025-26 deadline, heading to the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Laughton averaged 13:40 time-on-ice and scored 12 points (8G / 4A) in 43 games with the Maple Leafs this season.
Joseph was unable to secure a regular role with the St. Louis Blues this season and had his contract terminated earlier this week. He has quickly moved on and signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings. The 29-year-old Joseph averaged 12:41 time-on-ice and had 11 points (2G / 9A) in 39 games with the Blues this season.
Doughty was limited to 15:15 time-on-ice in last Thursday's 8-1 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, exiting the game with a lower-body injury, and has been sidelined for two games since. The 36-year-old Doughty is averaging 22:48 time-on-ice and has 14 points (3G / 11A) in 50 games this season.
Kuemper did not suit up for the Kings' previous game due to illness, but will be be ready for Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. The 35-year-old Kuemper had an awful outing in his return from the Olympic break, allowing four goals on 15 shots (.733 SV%) in an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, picking up on a poor stretch pre-stoppage, when he was riding a 10-game streak with seven losses (2-4-3) along with a dreadful 3.36 GAA and .864 SV%. Kuemper and the Kings enter action on Thursday at -130 on the money line.
