The Los Angeles Kings (20-16-13) are set to take on the St. Louis Blues (19-24-8) in an exciting regular-season matchup this evening at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM Pacific time, marking the start of a challenging six-game road trip for the Kings.
In their previous encounter earlier this season, Kings forward Adrian Kempe played a pivotal role, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime, leading to a 2-1 victory against the Blues in St. Louis. Kempe has continued to shine against the Blues, having scored seven goals against them since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, placing him among the top five players in the league in this regard.
The Kings held an optional morning skate prior to the game, and there remains uncertainty about who will take the net tonight. If Darcy Kuemper starts, he brings an impressive record with him—a lifetime 11-6-1 against the Blues, with a .916 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average. Should Anton Forsberg be given the nod, he enters this matchup with a .885 save percentage and a 2.88 goals-against average across four games against St. Louis.
In terms of lineup changes, defenseman Drew Doughty returns to the lineup after missing the last game due to illness, replacing Jacob Moverare in what appears to be a strengthening of the Kings’ lineup. However, Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore remain on injured reserve but are traveling with the team, providing a glimmer of hope for their return in the near future.
As for the Blues, they are coming off a recent 3-2 defeat against Dallas, marking their third consecutive loss. They will be without their leading scorer, Robert Thomas, who was placed on injured reserve last week due to a lower-body injury, as well as forwards Pius Suter and Mathieu Joseph. Justin Faulk, a notable contributor with 11 goals this season, scored the only goal for St. Louis in the previous matchup against the Kings.
This game represents a significant opportunity for the Kings as they embark on a critical stretch of their season. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper emphasized the importance of these upcoming games, highlighting that with around 30 games remaining in the season, the team must strive to position themselves favorably as they near the All-Star break. Defenseman Cody Ceci echoed this sentiment, stressing the need to approach each game with focus and determination.
The Kings’ earlier successful road trips, where they achieved a record of 4-0-1 and 4-1-0, provide a foundation of confidence as they head into this defining stretch. The Kings’ ability to secure wins away from home—tied for the Pacific Division lead with 12 wins on the road—could prove crucial as they seek to build momentum.
The Kings are aware of the stakes as they prepare to take on a depleted Blues team. This matchup presents an opportunity to convert the potential advantages of their condition into a valuable win. As the Kings gear up for the challenge, the focus will be on executing their game plan, capitalizing on the opportunities that arise, and setting a positive tone for the remainder of their road trip.