Los Angeles Kings News

On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a disappointing 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, the Kings will switch to Kuemper between the pipes. Kuemper returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury on Saturday and helped lead the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). Aside from a disastrous outing where he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in three of four outings (2-1-1). That said, the Kings enter the action on Wednesday as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that leads the league offensively with 47 goals.

Fiala was scratched for Tuesday's game against the Sharks after missing a team meeting. Fiala has four goals and two assists in nine games this season. It's unclear who will be scratched on Wednesday to make room for Fiala, but it was mentioned Akil Thomas will remain in the lineup after scoring in his season debut on Tuesday.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a disappointing 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, the Kings will likely switch to Kuemper between the pipes. Kuemper returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury on Saturday and helped lead the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). Aside from a disastrous outing where he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in three of four outings (2-1-1). That said, the Kings enter the action on Wednesday as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that leads the league offensively with 47 goals.

Things go from bad to worse for the Kings star. After being benched in Saturday's game vs. Utah, Fiala missed a team meeting and will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. the Sharks. Akil Thomas will make his season debut in Fiala's spot and it's unclear if he'll re-join the lineup for the second-half of the Kings' back-to-back on Wednesday.

Thomas has yet to play this season but had four points (3G / 1A) in seven games with the Kings last season. The 24-year-old Thomas was a second-round selection of the Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Copley has been with the Kings since being recalled from Ontario (AHL) on October 16th but strictly served as the backup to David Rittich during his stay. Copley played eight games with the Kings last season (4-1-2), posting a 3.16 GAA and .870 SV%, and has a 3.04 GAA and .864 SV% after one game with the Ontario Reign (1-0-0) this season.

Kuemper has not played since a forgetful outing on October 14th when he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators. He was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after. David Rittich had stepped in as the Kings' starter in Kuemper's absence and will start again on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Kuemper could have a chance to return to the crease on Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club.

Andreas Englund will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Burroughs to return to the lineup after a three-game absence. The 29-year-old Burroughs has one point (0G / 1A), two blocks, and eight hits in four games this season.

Linus Ullmark (strain) was seemingly targeting a return to action on Tuesday but will be out of the lineup for at least one more game, giving Forsberg his fourth straight start. Forsberg has allowed three or more goals in each of his three outings but recorded his first victory of the season on Saturday despite allowing four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%) in a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Senators enter action on Tuesday as slight -100 road underdogs against the Utah Hockey Club.

Burroughs will sit for the first time this season as the Kings opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup on the tail-end of their back-to-back. Jordan Spence will draw back into the lineup in his place.

Linus Ullmark (strain) was at practice and appears to be nearing a return but will be sidelined for at least one more contest, allowing Forbserg to start for the second straight game. Forsberg struggled in his first game, allowing three goals on nine shots (.667 SV%) before being pulled in an exhilarating contest that the Senators were eventually victorious in, defeating the Los Angeles Kings 8-7 in overtime. The Senators enter action on Thursday as +119 home underdogs against an offensively potent New Jersey Devils club.

Kuemper had a forgetful outing on Monday afternoon, allowing eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. Adding insult to injury, Kuemper is dealing with a lower-body issue and will be out of the lineup on a day-to-day basis. The Kings have recalled Phoenix Copley from the Ontario Reign (AHL), who will serve as the backup to David Rittich on Wednesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.