Los Angeles Kings News

Pheonix Copley will start Saturday vs. Montreal.

Copley will take over the Kings' crease for the second time in three games Saturday vs. Montreal after stopped 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a victory last start. The 31-year-old Alaskan native has struggled out of the gate this season, with his 2-0-2 record, 3.75 GAA and .845 SV%. He will face the Montreal Canadiens for a matinee showdown, who has won two straight games but are 25th in the NHL in goals per game (2.85).

Pheonix Copley
Perry will remain away from the team for the "foreseeable future."

The Blackhawks have yet to say why Perry isn't with the team but that it was a team decision, not Perry's decision. The 38-year-old signed a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason and had been enjoying a decent start to the season with four goals, five assists, 26 SOG, 12 PIMs and a -5 plus/minus in 16 games played.

Corey Perry
Forsberg will start against the Islanders on Friday.

Joonas Korpisalo was not present at the morning skate and as a result, Forsberg will be the starting goalie on Friday against the New York Islanders. Friday's matchup marks the Senators' first game since returning from the NHL Global Series in Sweden, where Forsberg played exceptionally well, saving 24 of 25 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The Senators will hope Forsberg can build off his most recent performance because he struggled immensely in his three games prior (0-3-0), allowing 13 goals on only 51 shots (.745 SV%). Forsberg and the Senators are -121 home favourites against an Islanders team that ranks third worst in the league offensively (2.56 GF / GP).

Anton Forsberg
Andrei Kuzmenko is expected to be a healthy scratch Friday vs. Seattle.

Kuzmenko has seen extended time on the Canucks top powerplay unit this season while playing primarily alongside Elias Pettersson at even strength. In 19 games this season, Kuzmenko has 14 points (3G / 11A) while averaging 15:24 time-on-ice. However, in his most recent contest, Kuzmenko registered a -3 plus/minus, failing to score a point while playing only 14:33. His top-line role will likely be filled by Sam Lafferty, who is expected to slide up the lineup.

Andrei Kuzmenko
Corey Perry will be a healthy scratch for a second straight game Friday vs. Toronto.

Perry was pacing for his best offensive totals in a half-decade with nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games this season but will serve as a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Perry's continued absence from the lineup is puzzling, given his strong start to the season and the news that Taylor Hall will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

Corey Perry
Anton Forsberg was in the starter's crease at Friday's morning skate.

Joonas Korpisalo was not present at the morning skate and as a result, Forsberg will likely be the starting goalie on Friday against the New York Islanders. Friday's matchup marks the Senators' first game since returning from the NHL Global Series in Sweden, where Forsberg played exceptionally well, saving 24 of 25 shots in a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. The Senators will hope Forsberg can build off his most recent performance because he struggled immensely in his three games prior (0-3-0), allowing 13 goals on only 51 shots (.745 SV%). Forsberg and the Senators are -121 home favourites against an Islanders team that ranks third worst in the league offensively (2.56 GF / GP).

Anton Forsberg
Cole Guttman has been recalled from Rockford (AHL).

Guttman had three goals, six assists, 16 PIMs, and a +5 plus/minus in 12 games with Rockford (AHL) and has been recalled to Chicago for a second time this season. The 24-year-old center returns to the Blackhawks, where he has a goal in three games played and is expected to center the second line as Andreas Athanasiou heads to the injured reserve.

Cole Guttman
Darcy Kuemper will start Wednesday vs. Buffalo.

Several minor injuries tied in with the strong play of Charlie Lindgren have limited Kuemper to only one start since November 2nd, but he will return to the create on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kuemper has struggled this season, posting an uncharacteristic 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games (3-3-2), and has historically been poor against the Sabres with a 3.69 GAA and .878 SV% in seven career meetings (3-2-1). That said, the Capitals have won four straight and are -120 home favourites against a Sabres team that will again be without Tage Thompson (upper-body).

Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper was the first goalie off the ice at Washington's morning skate.

Several minor injuries tied in with the strong play of Charlie Lindgren have limited Kuemper to only one start since November 2nd, but he will likely return to the create on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kuemper has struggled this season, posting an uncharacteristic 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games (3-3-2), and has historically been poor against the Sabres with a 3.69 GAA and .878 SV% in seven career meetings (3-2-1). That said, the Capitals have won four straight and are -120 home favourites against a Sabres team that will again be without Tage Thompson (upper-body).

Darcy Kuemper
Copley will start in Arizona on Monday.

Copley, widely believed to be a time-share goalie with Cam Talbot at the beginning of the season, will start for only the second time since the end of October on Monday. Oddly enough, of Copley's four starts this season, two have been against the Arizona Coyotes, who the Kings will face on Monday. In his first contest against the Coyotes, Copley was serviceable, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 6-3 victory, followed up by allowing three goals on six shots (.500 SV%) before being relieved by Talbot, who salvaged an eventual 5-4 victory for the Kings. Even with Copley between the pipes, the Kings are -144 road favourites against a Coyotes team that will be without their top-line center, Barret Hayton.

Pheonix Copley
Pheonix Copley is in the starter's net at the Kings' morning skate.

Copley, widely believed to be a time-share goalie with Cam Talbot at the beginning of the season, will likely start for only the second time since the end of October on Monday. Oddly enough, of Copley's four starts this season, two have been against the Arizona Coyotes, who the Kings will face on Monday. In his first contest against the Coyotes, Copley was serviceable, saving 24 of 27 shots (.889 SV%) in a 6-3 victory, followed up by allowing three goals on six shots (.500 SV%) before being relieved by Talbot, who salvaged an eventual 5-4 victory for the Kings. Even with Copley between the pipes, the Kings are -144 road favourites against a Coyotes team that will be without their top-line center, Barret Hayton.

Pheonix Copley
Anton Forsberg will start Saturday vs. Minnesota in Sweden.

Joonas Korpisalo was announced day-to-day Saturday opening the door for Anton Forsberg to get his first start in three games vs. Minnesota Saturday in Sweden. The 30-year-old goaltender has watched his crease time dwindle due to his horrific early season numbers with his 2-3-0 record, .833 SV% and 3.79 GAA. He will take on the Wild Saturday, who are looking to get in the win column after a three-game skid and rank 16th in both shots per game (31.0) and goals per game (3.27).

Anton Forsberg
Los Angeles has signed Koehn Ziemmer to a three-year, $2.625 million entry-level contract.

Ziemmer was Los Angeles 2023 third-round pick (78th overall) and has signed a three-year, $2.625 million entry-level contract Friday. The 18-year-old right-winger his having an excellent third season in Prince George (WHL), as he has seven goals, 24 points, six PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 16 games played.