Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres Faceoff in Season Opener

The Los Angeles Kings are set to kick off their 2024-25 season with a pivotal matchup against the Buffalo Sabres tonight at the KeyBank Center. The Kings, with a revamped lineup under head coach Jim Hiller, are coming off a season where they were swept by the Sabres in their two-game series. Hiller noted the challenge, referencing a significant 7-0 defeat suffered last year in Buffalo.

The Kings’ roster features substantial changes, with eight new players making their debut on the opening night, including starting goaltender Darcy Kuemper. Noteworthy changes in the lineup include new partnerships among the forwards and defensemen as the Kings embark on a lengthy seven-game road trip to begin the season.

Adrian Kempe and Mikey Anderson have been appointed as assistant captains for the season, with Anderson filling in for Drew Doughty during his recovery from ankle surgery. Both players expressed a commitment to stepping up in leadership roles amidst a roster with many new faces.

The Buffalo Sabres, looking to avenge an 0-2 start from losses against the New Jersey Devils in the NHL Global Series, anticipate a strong performance in front of their home crowd. Sabres’ captain Rasmus Dahlin emphasized the excitement of playing back in North America. “We’ve been waiting for that the whole summer,” he stated.

JJ Peterka will miss tonight’s game due to a concussion, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start as goalie, having impressed previously against the Kings with a 33-save shutout. The Sabres’ practices have focused heavily on improving their power play, which struggled without a goal in the previous games.

For the Kings, Anze Kopitar remains a key player, known for his two-way capabilities, and will be crucial in leading his team under the new system implemented by Hiller. The Kings are looking to maintain their aggressive playstyle, a shift from their previous more conservative strategies.

Reporters connected with Kings General Manager Rob Blake via Zoom, where he expressed optimism about the upcoming season, particularly praising the team’s depth in forward positions, which is expected to be a major strength.

The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m., with fans gathering early for pre-game events at the KeyBank Center.