Helenius was recalled from Ontario (AHL) earlier Wednesday and will join the Kings' lineup as he replaces Akil Thomas vs. St. Louis. The 22-year-old rookie centre will be looking to build off the goal, and two assists he amassed in 27 games played this season.
Clarke has been a healthy scratch for Los Angeles' previous two games but will draw back in the lineup for Kyle Burroughs on Wednesday vs. St. Louis. The 22-year-old has been snake-bitten as of late, as he has gone six games without a point but still has four goals and 25 points in 55 games played this year.
The Kings have been outscored 18-6 in their previous four games (0-3-1) and will hope for a better result on Wednesday with Kuemper between the pipes against the St. Louis Blues. After a tremendous start to his first season in Los Angeles, posting a 2.06 GAA and .922 SV% in his first 24 appearances (14-4-5), Kuemper has a significantly less impressive 3.25 GAA and .878 SV% in his last nine (4-4-1). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as -149 home favorites against a Blues squad that defeated them 4-1 less than a week ago.
Helenius was the 59th overall pick of the Kings in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old forward made his NHL debut this season, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 27 games with the Kings.
The Kings have been outscored 13-5 during a three-game losing skid and will hope for a better result on Monday with Kuemper between the pipes against the Chicago Blackhawks. Kuemper struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 32 shots (.813 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 3.14 GAA and .887 SV% in his last eight games (4-3-1). The Kings enter Monday's contest as -257 road favorites against a Blackhawks squad that snapped a five-game losing skid in their previous game, a 6-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
The Kings had David Rittich between the pipes in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will return to Kuemper on Friday against the Dallas Stars. Kuemper was solid in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .917 SV% in 31 games this season (18-6-6). The Kings enter Friday's contest as +115 road underdogs against a Stars club coming off a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Kings had David Rittich between the pipes in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks and will likely return to Kuemper on Friday against the Dallas Stars. Kuemper was solid in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The 34-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .917 SV% in 31 games this season (18-6-6). The Kings enter Friday's contest as +115 road underdogs against a Stars club coming off a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Doughty is battling a nagging injury that sidelined him on Wednesday but he will return to the lineup on Friday against the Dallas Stars. The 35-year-old Doughty has only played eight games this season, averaging 25:55 time-on-ice and scoring four points (1G / 3A).
With Ottawa battling a series of key injuries up front, Jenik drew into the lineup on Wednesday, playing 7:51 time-on-ice in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The 24-year-old Czech forward has six points (2G / 6A) in 24 career NHL games.
Doughty was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Kings not announcing his absence prior to warmups. He is considered day-to-day with the injury.
With Noah Dobson returning from a multi-week absence due to a lower-body injury, Perunovich will be the odd man out of the lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. Since being acquired by the Islanders, the 26-year-old Perunovich has averaged 19:12 time-on-ice and scored three points (0G / 3A) in nine games.
Jenik played one game with Ottawa earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, accumulating 13 points (7G / 6A) in 30 games with the Bellevile Senators. The 24-year-old Czech forward has six points (2G / 6A) in 23 career NHL games.
Jenik played one game with Ottawa earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, accumulating 13 points (7G / 6A) in 30 games with the Bellevile Senators. The 24-year-old Czech forward has six points (2G / 6A) in 23 career NHL games.
Kuemper was solid in his first action since the break for the 4Nations Face-Off, saving 25 of 28 shots (.893 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The 34-year-old Kuemper returns to the crease on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights. He has a solid 2.22 GAA and .917 SV% through 30 games this season (17-6-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as slight -100 home underdogs against a Golden Knights squad riding a three-game winning streak.
Ottawa is coming off a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and will hope for a better result, with Forsberg tending the twine in Thursday's rematch. Forsberg was solid in his most recent outing, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators. The 32-year-old Forsberg has a 2.82 GAA and .895 SV% in 20 appearances this season (8-9-1). Ottawa enters Thursday's contest as +135 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay team with points in three straight (2-0-1).
The Kings have not played since Saturday when Kuemper saved 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping a four-game losing skid (0-3-1). Kuemper returns to the crease on Monday, looking to build on an impressive first season with the Kings, where he has a 2.16 GAA and .920 SV% through 28 appearances (15-6-6). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as sizeable -243 home favorites against a Montreal Canadiens squad that played last night and defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-3.
