Kopitar’s Game-Time Decision; Forsberg’s Confidence; Focus on Reducing Penalties

Bassyonni

ago 22 hours

The Los Angeles Kings are preparing to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in an exciting regular-season matchup. This game is set for Thursday, October 16, at 7:00 PM Pacific at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Kings are currently seeking to improve their standings in this early part of the season following a challenging start of 1-2-1.

Kopitar’s Game-Time Decision

One of the main storylines is the status of Anze Kopitar, who is categorized as a game-time decision due to a lower-body injury. Kopitar’s absence could significantly impact the Kings’ lineup as he brings experience and skill to the ice. In the event he cannot play, forward Samuel Helenius will likely step in, causing a potential reshuffling of the lines.

Focus on Forsberg

Another crucial development is goaltender Darcy Kuemper’s day-to-day status with a lower-body injury. Anton Forsberg is anticipated to start against the Penguins. Forsberg holds a record of 1-0-1 in two career appearances against Pittsburgh, boasting a save percentage of .908.

Recent Performance

Forsberg aims to build on his successful start this season.
Head Coach Jim Hiller expresses confidence in Forsberg’s abilities, stating he is prepared for the challenge.
Forsberg successfully made 30 saves in the Kings’ lone victory against Vegas.

Reducing Penalties: A Critical Focus

Currently, the Kings have the highest number of penalties in the NHL, facing 22 short-handed situations over four games. This includes a 5-on-3 and a major penalty. The coaching staff emphasizes the importance of discipline and improving this statistic, as high penalties hinder the team’s chances of success.

Strategies to Minimize Penalties

Focus on body position to prevent infractions in the offensive zone.
Avoid stick-related penalties, which have been problematic for the team.
Maintain aggressive gameplay without becoming reckless.

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Status

The Penguins enter this matchup with a record of 2-2-0 and are on a California road trip following a recent loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The Penguins’ power-play unit is particularly formidable, ranked eighth in the NHL with a success rate of 25.8% last season. This makes it essential for the Kings to avoid giving the Penguins extra opportunities.

Key Players to Watch

Key figures in the game will include:

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who are central to the Penguins’ offense.
Blake Lizotte, a former King now playing for Pittsburgh, adds depth and experience.

As the Kings look to adjust to absentee players and tackle their penalty issues, tonight’s game promises to be a pivotal moment early in the season. The matchup is not just about the current standings but also features iconic players potentially facing each other for the last time in Los Angeles.