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Los Angeles Kings News

Perunovich will draw back into St. Louis' lineup on Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay.

Perunovich has been in and out of the Blues' lineup the past two weeks but will return for his fourth game of the season on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 26-year-old Perunovich is averaging 11:15 time-on-ice and has zero points through three games this season.

Scott Perunovich
Kuemper will start in Nashville on Monday.

Kuemper allowed a final-minute game-tying goal in the third period in his previous outing, an eventual 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. That said, he will return to the crease on Monday night against the Nashville Predators. Despite a disastrous performance when he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been serviceable between the pipes in his first season as a King, allowing three or fewer goals in five of six games, recording a .890 SV%. The Kings enter the action on Monday as +126 road underdogs against a Predators club with points in five of their last six (4-1-1).

Darcy Kuemper
Kuemper was the first goalie off the ice at Los Angeles' morning skate.

Kuemper allowed a final-minute game-tying goal in the third period in his previous outing, an eventual 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. That said, he will likely return to the crease on Monday night against the Nashville Predators. Despite a disastrous performance when he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been serviceable between the pipes in his first season as a King, allowing three or fewer goals in five of six games, recording a .890 SV%. The Kings enter the action on Monday as +126 road underdogs against a Predators club with points in five of their last six (4-1-1).

Darcy Kuemper
Perunovich will draw back into the Blues' lineup on Thursday in Pittsburgh.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Perunovich to re-enter the lineup for his third game of the season. The 26-year-old Perunovich registered zero points and a -2 plus/minus while averaging 11:48 time-on-ice in his two contests this season.

Scott Perunovich
Kuemper will start against the Golden Knights on Wednesday.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a disappointing 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, the Kings will switch to Kuemper between the pipes. Kuemper returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury on Saturday and helped lead the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). Aside from a disastrous outing where he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in three of four outings (2-1-1). That said, the Kings enter the action on Wednesday as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that leads the league offensively with 47 goals.

Darcy Kuemper
Fiala will draw back into the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Golden Knights.

Fiala was scratched for Tuesday's game against the Sharks after missing a team meeting. Fiala has four goals and two assists in nine games this season. It's unclear who will be scratched on Wednesday to make room for Fiala, but it was mentioned Akil Thomas will remain in the lineup after scoring in his season debut on Tuesday.

Kevin Fiala
Kuemper is expected to start on Wednesday vs. Vegas.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a disappointing 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, the Kings will likely switch to Kuemper between the pipes. Kuemper returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury on Saturday and helped lead the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). Aside from a disastrous outing where he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in three of four outings (2-1-1). That said, the Kings enter the action on Wednesday as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that leads the league offensively with 47 goals.

Darcy Kuemper
Gustafsson is expected to be a healthy scratch on Wednesday vs. Winnipeg.

Albert Johansson will remain in the Red Wings lineup on Wednesday, resulting in Gustafsson being a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. The 32-year-old Gustafsson is averaging 16:19 time-on-ice through six games with the Red Wings, recording two assists and a -2 plus/minus.

Erik Gustafsson
Fiala was scratched from Tuesday's lineup for missing a team meeting.

Things go from bad to worse for the Kings star. After being benched in Saturday's game vs. Utah, Fiala missed a team meeting and will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. the Sharks. Akil Thomas will make his season debut in Fiala's spot and it's unclear if he'll re-join the lineup for the second-half of the Kings' back-to-back on Wednesday.

Kevin Fiala
Kuemper (lower-body) has been activated off IR.

Kuemper has not played since a forgetful outing on October 14th when he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators. He was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after. David Rittich had stepped in as the Kings' starter in Kuemper's absence and will start again on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Kuemper could have a chance to return to the crease on Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club.

Darcy Kuemper
Perunovich is expected to make his season debut on Thursday in Toronto.

Matthew Kessel will exit the Blues' lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing Perunovich to enter the lineup for his season debut. The 26-year-old Perunovich has an offensive pedigree that has made him a near-point-per-game defenseman at every level other than the NHL. In 54 games with the Blues last season, Perunovich had 17 points (0G / 17A).

Scott Perunovich