Los Angeles Kings News

With Darcy Kuemper (upper body) still on IR, the Kings will turn to Forsberg on Monday in the front end of a back-to-back. The 33-year-old Forsberg has showcased a mixed bag of results in his first season with the Kings, posting a 2.69 GAA and .901 SV% in 12 games (5-4-3). That said, he is coming off one of his best outings of the season, a 31-save performance (.969 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Kings enter the action on Monday as -160 home favorites against a struggling Blue Jackets team that sits in last place in the Eastern Conference (14-15-6).

Lombardi was drafted in the fourth round, 125th overall, by the Kings in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old, in his third season with the Flint Firebirds (OHL), has 41 points (21G / 20A) in 33 games during the 2025-26 season.

Zuccarello missed the first month of the season with a lower-body injury and has been sidelined again for nearly two weeks due to an upper-body injury. That said, he is nearing a return to the lineup and could be an option on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 38-year-old Zuccarello has been effective when healthy, with 12 points (2G / 10A) in 15 games.

The Rangers will be without Panarin for Thursday's game due to an illness. After an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, with seven points (2G / 5A) in his first 14 games, Panarin has returned to his elite point-producing form in recent weeks, with 27 points (9G / 18A) in his last 21 games.

With Darcy Kuemper on injured reserve, the Kings will opt against giving Pheonix Copley his season debut and instead turn to Forsberg for the second time in as many nights. Forsberg and the Kings took the loss on Wednesday, with Forsberg allowing three goals on 28 shots. The Kings enter action on Thursday at +175 on the money line.

After an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, with seven points (2G / 5A) in his first 14 games, Panarin has returned to his elite point-producing form in recent weeks, with 27 points (9G / 18A) in his last 21 games. Given the Rangers' struggles on home ice, Panarin has been especially productive on the road this season, including scoring 18 points (5G / 13A) in his last 10 road games. The Rangers have been running a five-forward top powerplay unit lately, but experimented with Scott Morrow on the point with Panarin absent from practice on Thursday.

With Darcy Kuemper (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Forsberg will tend the twine for the Kings on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 33-year-old Forsberg allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in relief of Kuemper in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. Forsberg has a 2.82 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 games this season (4-3-3). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Panthers team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Byfield was out of the lineup in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars due to an illness, but is expected to return on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 23-year-old Byfield has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 31 games this season, but has recently been demoted from the top powerplay unit and has seen his production dip significantly. He has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last 12 games.

With Darcy Kuemper (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Forsberg will likely tend the twine for the Kings on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 33-year-old Forsberg allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in relief of Kuemper in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. Forsberg has a 2.82 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 games this season (4-3-3). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Panthers team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Kuemper exited Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars late in the first period after a collision with Mikko Rantanen. The 35-year-old Kuemper has been outstanding for the Kings this season, posting a stellar 2.19 GAA and .917 SV% in 23 games (10-6-6). The Kings have relied on Kuemper heavily and will see their crease occupied by Anton Forsberg and Phoenix Copley in the interim.

The Kings have lost six of their last 10 (4-2-4), but largely credit Kuemper's strong play for helping the team collect points in four of those losses. Kuemper has been outstanding in December, posting a tremendous 1.62 GAA and .944 SV% in five games (2-2-1). The 35-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .916 SV% in 22 games this season (10-6-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has been outscored 9-2 during a two-game losing skid.

The Kings have lost six of their last 10 (4-2-4), but largely credit Kuemper's strong play for helping the team collect points in four of those losses. Kuemper has been outstanding in December, posting a tremendous 1.62 GAA and .944 SV% in five games (2-2-1). The 35-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .916 SV% in 22 games this season (10-6-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has been outscored 9-2 during a two-game losing skid.

The Kings will be without their second-line center on Monday, as Byfield tends to an illness. The 23-year-old Byfield has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 31 games this season, but has recently been demoted from the top powerplay unit and has seen his production dip significantly. He has only two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games this season.