Los Angeles Kings News

The Kings are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken and will revert to Rittich between the pipes on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rittich has only played once this month, a 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames when he saved 16 of 18 shots (.889 SV%). The Czech netminder has a 2.52 GAA and .887 SV% in 21 appearances this season (11-9-0). The Kings enter Monday's contest as -185 home favorites against a Penguins club without offensive threat Rickard Rakell (personal).

Doughty underwent ankle surgery after being injured in the preseason and has yet to play this season. He has been a staple on the Kings' blueline for over a decade. His impact has been missed despite the Kings allowing only 105 goals this season, the fewest in the NHL thus far. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs, and a +15 plus/minus.

The Kings have struggled scoring lately, limited to only five goals in their previous four games (2-2-0), and will need to rely on Kuemper for another strong performance on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Kuemper was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 34-year-old netminder has had a resurgent season in Los Angeles, posting a stellar 2.11 GAA and .921 SV% in 21 appearances (12-3-5). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as slight +101 road underdogs against a Canucks club coming off a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Helenius played a game with the Ontario Reign (AHL) earlier this week but will return to the Kings lineup for the first time in five games on Thursday when they visit the Vancouver Canucks. The 22-year-old Helenius is averaging 8:33 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

The Kings have struggled scoring lately, limited to only five goals in their previous four games (2-2-0), and will likely need to rely on Kuemper for another strong performance on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. Kuemper was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 1-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The 34-year-old netminder has had a resurgent season in Los Angeles, posting a stellar 2.11 GAA and .921 SV% in 21 appearances (12-3-5). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as slight +101 road underdogs against a Canucks club coming off a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets.

Laferriere played only 9:52 time-on-ice in the Kings' 1-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday and will not play on Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 16:27 time-on-ice and has 26 points (13G / 13A) in 41 games this season.

Helenius has not played the previous five games for the Kings and was loaned to the Ontario Reign (AHL) on Tuesday before being recalled on Wednesday. The 22-year-old Helenius is averaging 8:33 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

Helenius has not played the previous five games for the Kings and has been loaned to the Ontario Reign (AHL). The 22-year-old Helenius is averaging 8:33 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 21 games this season.

Edmundson will return to the Kings lineup on Monday after missing their last two games with an upper-body injury. Andreas Englund will sit in his place.

After having the night off in the Kings' previous contest, a 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, Kuemper will return to the crease on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. Kuemper was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets. The 34-year-old netminder is having a terrific first season with the Kings, boasting an excellent 2.16 GAA and .919 SV% in 20 appearances (12-2-5). He has allowed three or fewer goals in all but one game this season and has a .933 SV% in his last 14 contests (9-2-2). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +176 road underdogs against an Oilers squad that is 7-2-1 in their previous 10 games.

After having the night off in the Kings' previous contest, a 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, Kuemper will likely return to the crease on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. Kuemper was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets. The 34-year-old netminder is having a terrific first season with the Kings, boasting an excellent 2.16 GAA and .919 SV% in 20 appearances (12-2-5). He has allowed three or fewer goals in all but one game this season and has a .933 SV% in his last 14 contests (9-2-2). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +176 road underdogs against an Oilers squad that is 7-2-1 in their previous 10 games.

Kuzmenko has been in and out of the lineup lately and will return to a familiar place on the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Monday when the Flames visit the Chicago Blackhawks. The 28-year-old Kuzmenko has only one point (0G / 1A) in his last 16 games. Rory Kernis will draw into Calgary's lineup on Monday, replacing Kuzmenko.

Edmundson did not play the previous game for Los Angeles but appears to be nearing a return as he was a game-time decision on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:39 time-on-ice, recording 10 points (4G / 6A), 57 blocks, and 60 hits in 36 games this season.

The Kings, riding a four-game winning streak, have not played since January 4th, a result of a home game canceled earlier this week. Kuemper will return to the crease on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets, looking to improve on a stellar first season with the Kings, posting a 2.22 GAA and .918 SV% in 19 appearances (11-2-5). The 34-year-old netminder has been excellent lately, helping his team collect at least a point in nine straight outings (7-0-2) while posting a superb .937 SV%. The Kings enter Friday's contest as -103 road underdogs against a Jets club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

Edmundson did not play the previous game for Los Angeles but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:39 time-on-ice, recording 10 points (4G / 6A), 57 blocks, and 60 hits in 36 games this season.