Kings Face Canucks in Crucial Game 4 Showdown in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Los Angeles Kings face the Vancouver Canucks tonight in Game 4 of their five-game road trip, aiming to rebound from a 1-2-0 start. The Kings, who lost 4-2 to the Canucks in their previous meeting in November, are looking to even their record on the trip and reignite their offense.

Forward Trevor Moore, who has five points in his last five games against Vancouver, will be a key player for the Kings. Moore skated alongside Phillip Danault and Kevin Fiala in practice, filling in for the injured Alex Laferriere. Laferriere, sidelined with an upper-body injury, leaves a void in the Kings’ lineup, particularly in front of the net, where he has excelled this season.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who did not participate in the morning skate, is expected to start. Kuemper has a strong track record against the Canucks, posting a 13-7-2 record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.32 goals-against average. “We need to get pucks to the net and make life difficult for their goalie,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said. “It’s not about fancy plays; it’s about getting to the dirty areas.”

The Canucks, meanwhile, are struggling with just three wins in their last 13 games. Forward Brock Boeser, who has 17 career goals against the Kings, will be a focal point for Vancouver. Defenseman Filip Hronek also returns to the lineup after missing time since November 27.

For the Kings, defenseman Joel Edmundson is back in action after recovering from a scary fall earlier this month. “I felt good out there,” Edmundson said. “It’s important for us to be strong around our net, and I think I can help with that.”

Kyle Burroughs, a Vancouver native and former Canuck, will have a cheering section in the stands. “It’s always special to play in front of friends and family,” Burroughs said. “But tonight, they’ll be wearing Kings gear.”

The Kings’ offense has been inconsistent on this trip, scoring just three goals in three games. Hiller emphasized the need for more high-danger chances and better finishing. “We’ve had the opportunities,” forward Alex Turcotte said. “It’s just a matter of time before we start converting.”

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Rogers Arena, with the Kings looking to build momentum before heading to Seattle for the final game of their road trip.