Kings Face Avalanche in NHL Season Opener at Crypto.com Arena

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Kings are set to kick off their NHL season tonight at Crypto.com Arena against the Colorado Avalanche. This matchup is part of the league’s season-opening tripleheader.

Last season, each team won their home games, with the Kings taking one in Los Angeles and the Avalanche winning both in Denver. Forward Anze Kopitar has been particularly effective against the Avalanche, racking up 15 assists in 20 games over the last five seasons, leading the NHL during that span.

The Kings have 22 players on their Opening Night roster. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper, expected to start, is coming off an impressive season with a career-best 2.00 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. Kuemper won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in the 2021-22 season.

Tonight’s projected lineup for the Kings includes Kuzmenko, Kopitar, Kempe, and others. Notably absent are forward Corey Perry and defenseman Kyle Burroughs, both starting the season on injured reserve. This leaves the team with a full roster of 20 players ready for the game.

The Avalanche also begin their season in Los Angeles, featuring a lineup with star players like Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog. Tonight marks Landeskog’s return to regular-season play for the first time since March 2022 due to injuries. He is close to reaching 250 career goals.

Warren Foegele, a forward for the Kings, expressed confidence heading into this season compared to last year. He noted that despite last season’s challenges, the team feels good about their chances. “There’s been a juice around our team all camp just to get going,” he said.

Defenseman Brandt Clarke echoed Foegele’s sentiment, stating that the team has high expectations following a successful preseason. They know that the true test lies ahead against a formidable opponent like Colorado, which was recognized as the fastest team last season.

Defenseman Cody Ceci highlighted the skills of the Avalanche, labeling them as a team with “all the tools.” He stressed the importance of performing well as the Kings strive to establish themselves early in the season.

As the Kings look to gain momentum, they recognize that every game is vital in their quest for a division title. Defenseman Drew Doughty emphasized their focus on long-term goals, stating, “We’re definitely playing to win in the playoffs… but we’re just trying to win the division.”

In addition, this game marks the final home opener for Anze Kopitar, who officially announced this season would be his last in the NHL. Kopitar has a history of strong performances in opening games, including a streak of multi-point games in past seasons.

While the Kings aim for a strong start tonight against the Avalanche, they know that they must focus on their game and strive for success. Puck drop is approaching as excitement builds in Los Angeles.