Kings Face Off Against Sharks Amid Injury Concerns and Lineup Changes

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Kings are set to host the San Jose Sharks tonight at Crypto.com Arena for a critical matchup following a tough 3-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT, with both teams looking to improve their standings in the Pacific Division.

After a disappointing performance against Toronto, Kings coach Jim Hiller is expected to make significant lineup adjustments. Goalkeeper David Rittich is likely to take the net after Darcy Kuemper‘s start on Saturday.

“We know we can play better,” Hiller said in a pregame interview. “We’re looking for a response and some renewed urgency tonight.”

On the other side, the Sharks come off a rough 6-1 defeat against the New York Rangers, and are themselves facing some injury challenges. Notably, defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is back in the lineup after an upper-body injury sidelined him for four games, but Jimmy Schuldt will not play following an injury sustained during the Rangers game.

“Jimmy’s injury is unfortunate, but we’re glad Marc is back. We need to tighten up our game defensively,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said.

The Kings are tied with the Edmonton Oilers, each holding 89 points, but the Kings have a game in hand. Tonight’s outcome could be pivotal for securing a better playoff position as the season approaches its final stretch.

Fans will also watch closely for rookie Macklin Celebrini, who has not only been a standout for the Sharks this season with 53 points but also leads all rookies in assists this season. “Macklin’s definitely a player to watch; he’s having a season for the books,” Warsofsky noted.

In contrast, the Kings’ offense has struggled recently, managing just one goal in their last six periods of play. “We need to find our scoring touch again, and fast,” said Kings forward Anze Kopitar.

Tonight’s game also marks the second match-up this season between these two teams, with a prior clash where San Jose notably scored seven goals against the Kings.

In terms of injuries, Los Angeles’ Logan Couture, Jan Rutta, Henry Thrun, and Vincent Desharnais will miss the game due to various issues, increasing the stakes for both teams in a tightly contested division.

As anticipation builds, fans can expect a competitive game where both teams are under pressure to capitalize on the scoring opportunities and solidify their playoff aspirations. Tune in to watch this exciting match, broadcast on ESPN.