Los Angeles Kings Face Boston Bruins in Crucial Early-Season Matchup

The Los Angeles Kings are set to face the Boston Bruins in a highly anticipated NHL matchup on Saturday, October 12, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game, scheduled to start at 1:00 PM ET, marks the Kings’ second game of the 2024-25 season after they secured a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.

In their win against the Sabres, the Kings had a slow start, being shut out through the first two periods before Anze Kopitar led the team to victory with a hat trick in the final period. Goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper played a crucial role, saving 32 of the 33 shots he faced, contributing to the Kings’ strong defensive performance.

The Boston Bruins, meanwhile, have split their first two games of the season. They lost 6-4 to the Florida Panthers in their season opener but bounced back with a 6-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Bruins have shown early period woes, allowing six of their 10 goals conceded in the first period of their first two games. This vulnerability could be a key area for the Kings to exploit.

The Bruins’ offense has been robust, averaging five goals per game, with notable performances from Elias Lindholm, Mark Kastelic, and David Pastrnak in their last game. However, their defensive performance has been a concern, giving up five goals per game so far this season.

For the Kings, a fast start will be crucial in taking the crowd out of the game and capitalizing on the Bruins’ early period struggles. The Kings’ penalty kill, which was the second-best in the league last season, will also be a significant factor in this matchup.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Bally Sports West, with radio coverage available on the ESPN LA App.