Kings Host Maple Leafs in Crucial Homestand Showdown Tonight

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles Kings return home to commence a critical three-game homestand tonight, hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs at Staples Center. This matchup will conclude the season series between the two teams.

In their previous eight encounters, each team has secured four victories since 2020. Toronto claimed a decisive 6-2 win in the first meeting of the 2024-25 season back in October, where Kings forwards Kevin Fiala and Alex Turcotte found the back of the net. Fiala has a notable record against Toronto, accumulating three goals and eight points in 12 career games, including four points since joining the Kings.

With a late-afternoon puck drop, the Kings opted not to hold a morning skate today. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is expected to start in net, considering he and David Rittich may alternate in their upcoming back-to-back games. Kuemper has faced Toronto seven times, recording a 3-4-0 record with an .882 save percentage and 3.15 goals-against average.

Despite missing morning practice, the Kings’ lineup remains under consideration. Alex Turcotte and Tanner Jeannot are both day-to-day with injuries, with updates anticipated later today. Should the Kings choose to go with an 11/7 lineup, defensemen Jacob Moverare and Kyle Burroughs are among the candidates to step in.

Jim Hiller, the Kings’ assistant coach, will address the media before the game, potentially providing updates on player statuses.

The Maple Leafs enter this game following a 6-5 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks, having secured points in five of their last six matches. Notable performances in their earlier encounter with the Kings include forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner combining for six points, alongside multiple contributions from their defensive corps.

A key storyline for both teams is their power play effectiveness. Since the NHL trade deadline, the Kings have succeeded on 6 of 26 power play opportunities, a 23.1 percent rate. This marks a significant improvement compared to the season average of below 15 percent. Anze Kopitar emphasized that while the overall success rate will not drastically change, timely power play goals can impact game outcomes.

“It looks a lot better, doesn’t it? Can we all agree that it looks a lot more dangerous?” Hiller remarked regarding the team’s recent power play performance.

Despite this progress, the Kings struggled in their last outing against Colorado, where the power play unit failed to convert, reflecting a lack of sharpness in overall gameplay. “That’s usually how it works,” Hiller noted after the loss. “Guys don’t feel good, they’re not feeling it because the power play reflects your 5-on-5 game.”

As the playoffs loom closer with only 11 games remaining, the Kings, currently positioned just seven points behind the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights, are motivated to secure points against the Maple Leafs. “We feel comfortable at home, and there are some big points that we need to win here,” said forward Quinton Byfield, expressing confidence in their upcoming games.

The Kings have a favorable schedule, with eight of their final games set in Los Angeles. “Going home, we feel confident that we can get them,” Byfield added.

In a notable narrative, Jeff Malott is garnering attention for his composed style of play, particularly after his recent debut with the Kings. “It’s really consistent, and that helps with the transition,” he mentioned, crediting the familiarity with the team’s system during his time in Ontario.

Finally, the Kings will honor Nick Nickson in a pregame ceremony on April 1. His long-standing career with the organization will be celebrated, adding an emotional layer to tonight’s match.

The puck drop is scheduled for 4 PM, marking another unique start time for an NHL game in Los Angeles. Fans can anticipate an exciting contest as the Kings work toward positioning themselves for a strong playoff run.