Los Angeles Kings News

With Darcy Kuemper (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Forsberg will tend the twine for the Kings on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 33-year-old Forsberg allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in relief of Kuemper in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. Forsberg has a 2.82 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 games this season (4-3-3). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Panthers team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Byfield was out of the lineup in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars due to an illness, but is expected to return on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 23-year-old Byfield has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 31 games this season, but has recently been demoted from the top powerplay unit and has seen his production dip significantly. He has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last 12 games.

With Darcy Kuemper (upper body) on Injured Reserve, Forsberg will likely tend the twine for the Kings on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 33-year-old Forsberg allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in relief of Kuemper in Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars. Forsberg has a 2.82 GAA and .893 SV% in 10 games this season (4-3-3). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as +128 road underdogs against a Panthers team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (5-1-0).

Darcy Keumper (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve, resulting in the Kings recalling Copley from Ontario (AHL). With the Kings playing two back-to-back over the next week, Copley could tend the twine twice in that time if Kuemper remains out of the lineup for longer than a week.

Kuemper exited Monday's 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars late in the first period after a collision with Mikko Rantanen. The 35-year-old Kuemper has been outstanding for the Kings this season, posting a stellar 2.19 GAA and .917 SV% in 23 games (10-6-6). The Kings have relied on Kuemper heavily and will see their crease occupied by Anton Forsberg and Phoenix Copley in the interim.

The Kings have lost six of their last 10 (4-2-4), but largely credit Kuemper's strong play for helping the team collect points in four of those losses. Kuemper has been outstanding in December, posting a tremendous 1.62 GAA and .944 SV% in five games (2-2-1). The 35-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .916 SV% in 22 games this season (10-6-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has been outscored 9-2 during a two-game losing skid.

Kuzmenko has regularly been in and out of the lineup lately, but draws back in to replace Quinten Byfield (illness). The 29-year-old Kuzmenko was excellent with the Kings after being acquired before the trade deadline in 2024-25, scoring 17 points (5G / 12A) in 22 games, but has not been able to replicate that success in 2025-26. He played a season-low 6:58 time-on-ice in the Kings' most recent game and has just one point (1G / 0A) in his last 13.

The Kings have lost six of their last 10 (4-2-4), but largely credit Kuemper's strong play for helping the team collect points in four of those losses. Kuemper has been outstanding in December, posting a tremendous 1.62 GAA and .944 SV% in five games (2-2-1). The 35-year-old Kuemper has a 2.21 GAA and .916 SV% in 22 games this season (10-6-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as +116 road underdogs against a Dallas Stars team that has been outscored 9-2 during a two-game losing skid.

The Kings will be without their second-line center on Monday, as Byfield tends to an illness. The 23-year-old Byfield has 19 points (4G / 15A) in 31 games this season, but has recently been demoted from the top powerplay unit and has seen his production dip significantly. He has only two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

After scoring two or fewer goals in seven of their last nine games (3-3-3), the Kings have erupted to outscore their opponents 10-2 in their last two games (2-0-0). Darcy Kuemper has started four straight, so the Kings will turn to Forsberg on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 33-year-old Forsberg was solid in his most recent outing, saving 19 of 20 shots (.950 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks. Forsberg has a 2.69 GAA and .894 SV% in eight games this season (4-2-2). The Kings enter the action on Wednesday as -146 road favorites against a Kraken team on a five-game losing skid (0-5-0).

Kuzmenko has remained on the top powerplay unit but has since been heavily protected at even strength, seemingly not having the trust of the Kings' coaching staff. The 29-year-old Kuzmenko was excellent with the Kings after being acquired before the trade deadline in 2024-25, scoring 17 points (5G / 12A) in 22 games, but has not been able to replicate that success in 2025-26. He played a season-low 6:58 time-on-ice in the Kings' most recent game and has just one point (1G / 0A) in his last 13. Jeff Malott will draw into the lineup as Kuzmenko's replacement.

Andrei Kuzmenko will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken, allowing Malott to re-enter the lineup. The 29-year-old Malott has two goals in 19 games this season.

After scoring two or fewer goals in seven of their last nine games (3-3-3), the Kings have erupted to outscore their opponents 10-2 in their last two games (2-0-0). Darcy Kuemper has started four straight, so the Kings will turn to Forsberg on Wednesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 33-year-old Forsberg was solid in his most recent outing, saving 19 of 20 shots (.950 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks. Forsberg has a 2.69 GAA and .894 SV% in eight games this season (4-2-2). The Kings enter the action on Wednesday as -146 road favorites against a Kraken team on a five-game losing skid (0-5-0).

Cihar was drafted 59th overall by the Kings in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and has earned himself a three-year, entry-level contract. The 18-year-old Czech forward has eight points (4G / 4) in 27 games playing Czechia with Karlovy Vary HC.

The Kings have scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last 10, but rallied to a reasonable 4-3-3 record thanks to solid goaltending led by Darcy Kuemper. The 35-year-old Kuemper is coming off a 23-save performance in a 6-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks for his second shutout of the season. He has a terrific 1.70 GAA and .934 SV% in his last 11 games (6-3-2). The Kings enter Monday's contest as -104 road underdogs against a Utah Mammoth team that will be without their leading goal scorer, Logan Cooley (lower body).

The Kings have been abysmal offensively lately, scoring only 15 goals (1.87 GF/GP) in their last eight games, but have salvaged a 3-3-2 record courtesy of serviceable defense and goaltending. Kuemper was solid in his most recent outing, a 22-save performance (.917 SV%), but again did not receive enough goal support in a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. He returns to the crease on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks, looking to build on his 2.37 GAAA and .908 SV% through 18 games this season (8-5-5). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as -199 home favorites.