Preview: Strong Performance Must Translate to Wins; Key Players Miss Practice
The Los Angeles Kings face the Vegas Golden Knights in a crucial matchup as they seek to convert strong performances into wins. The Kings are currently at a critical juncture in their season, grappling with the need to translate their efforts into victories.
Game Details
- Teams: Los Angeles Kings vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Date: January 14, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM Pacific
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- How to Follow: Watch on TNT, HBO Max; Listen on ESPN LA 710, ESPN LA App, and LA Kings App.
Current Standings
The Kings, with a record of 19 wins, 16 losses, and 10 overtime losses, must improve their performance if they hope to secure a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are leading the Pacific Division with 21 wins, 11 losses, and 12 overtime losses.
Head-to-Head Matchup
These teams met earlier in the season, where the Kings achieved a thrilling 6-5 shootout victory in Las Vegas. Key players included Andrei Kuzmenko, who scored a power-play goal, and Quinton Byfield, contributing significantly with two points. Kuzmenko has demonstrated exceptional performance against the Golden Knights, averaging a point per game over eight career matchups.
Kings’ Roster Notes
The Kings held a full morning skate after a day off, gearing up for the match. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is expected to be in the net. He has a reasonable career record against the Golden Knights, with a save percentage of .927. However, the Kings will miss forward Corey Perry due to a family illness. In his absence, the team will dress 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, reintroducing Jacob Moverare into the lineup.
Injury Update
Currently, the Kings are managing several injuries. Joel Armia and Trevor Moore participated in the morning skate but won’t play tonight, while Anze Kopitar also skated but remains out. The absence of these players places additional pressure on the remaining roster, particularly in special teams play.
Performance Concerns
The Kings have shown potential but have struggled to convert this into wins. Having gone 4-5-1 over their last ten games, players like Drew Doughty acknowledge that good gameplay alone is insufficient without corresponding victories. The team’s performance metrics reflect improved play, yet the need to secure points in the standings is paramount.
Keys to Victory
- Convert strong gameplay into wins.
- Limit penalties to reduce pressure on the penalty kill.
- Utilize special teams effectively, particularly given the absence of key players.
The Kings aim to flip their narrative by transforming their performances into crucial wins as they host the division-leading Golden Knights tonight. The stakes are high as the team looks to secure a better result than their recent outings.
