Los Angeles Kings News

Kuemper will start against the Golden Knights on Wednesday.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a disappointing 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, the Kings will switch to Kuemper between the pipes. Kuemper returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury on Saturday and helped lead the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). Aside from a disastrous outing where he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in three of four outings (2-1-1). That said, the Kings enter the action on Wednesday as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that leads the league offensively with 47 goals.

Darcy Kuemper
Fiala will draw back into the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Golden Knights.

Fiala was scratched for Tuesday's game against the Sharks after missing a team meeting. Fiala has four goals and two assists in nine games this season. It's unclear who will be scratched on Wednesday to make room for Fiala, but it was mentioned Akil Thomas will remain in the lineup after scoring in his season debut on Tuesday.

Kevin Fiala
Kuemper is expected to start on Wednesday vs. Vegas.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, after a disappointing 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks last night, the Kings will likely switch to Kuemper between the pipes. Kuemper returned to the lineup from a lower-body injury on Saturday and helped lead the Kings to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%). Aside from a disastrous outing where he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Kuemper has been solid, allowing two or fewer goals in three of four outings (2-1-1). That said, the Kings enter the action on Wednesday as +113 home underdogs against a Vegas Golden Knights club that leads the league offensively with 47 goals.

Darcy Kuemper
Fiala was scratched from Tuesday's lineup for missing a team meeting.

Things go from bad to worse for the Kings star. After being benched in Saturday's game vs. Utah, Fiala missed a team meeting and will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. the Sharks. Akil Thomas will make his season debut in Fiala's spot and it's unclear if he'll re-join the lineup for the second-half of the Kings' back-to-back on Wednesday.

Kevin Fiala
Rittich will start in San Jose on Tuesday.

On the opening night of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to Rittich between the pipes. The 32-year-old Rittich started five straight games (3-2-0) before Darcy Kuemper returned from injury, posting a 3.09 GAA and .874 SV%. In his most recent outing, Rittich saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Rittich and the Kings will visit the Sharks in San Jose for a rematch on Tuesday, with the Kings entering the action as -288 road favorites.

David Rittich
Rittich is expected to start on Tuesday in San Jose.

On the opening night of a back-to-back, the Kings will likely turn to Rittich between the pipes. The 32-year-old Rittich started five straight games (3-2-0) before Darcy Kuemper returned from injury, posting a 3.09 GAA and .874 SV%. In his most recent outing, Rittich saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Rittich and the Kings will visit the Sharks in San Jose for a rematch on Tuesday, with the Kings entering the action as -288 road favorites.

David Rittich
Copley has been loaned to Ontario (AHL).

Copley has been with the Kings since being recalled from Ontario (AHL) on October 16th but strictly served as the backup to David Rittich during his stay. Copley played eight games with the Kings last season (4-1-2), posting a 3.16 GAA and .870 SV%, and has a 3.04 GAA and .864 SV% after one game with the Ontario Reign (1-0-0) this season.

Pheonix Copley
Kuemper (lower-body) has been activated off IR.

Kuemper has not played since a forgetful outing on October 14th when he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators. He was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after. David Rittich had stepped in as the Kings' starter in Kuemper's absence and will start again on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Kuemper could have a chance to return to the crease on Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club.

Darcy Kuemper
Rittich will start on Thursday vs. San Jose.

With Darcy Kuemper (lower body) still sidelined, the Kings will roll with Rittich in the crease for the fifth straight game. Rittich has been serviceable in this stretch, winning two of four contests (2-2-0), but had a rough time in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 30 shots (.800 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. That said, the Kings enter the action on Thursday as overwhelming -303 home favorites against the San Jose Sharks, the only team without a win this season (0-5-2).

David Rittich
Rittich was the first goalie off the ice at Los Angeles' morning skate.

With Darcy Kuemper (lower body) still sidelined, the Kings will roll with Rittich in the crease for the fifth straight game. Rittich has been serviceable in this stretch, winning two of four contests (2-2-0), but had a rough time in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 30 shots (.800 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. That said, the Kings enter the action on Thursday as overwhelming -303 home favorites against the San Jose Sharks, the only team without a win this season (0-5-2).

David Rittich
Rittich will start Tuesday's game in Vegas.

Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is nearing a return from injury, but stellar play from Rittich has made his absence tolerable. Rittich has allowed two combined goals in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving 40 of 42 shots in the process (.952 SV%). The Czech netminder became a trustworthy option between the pipes for the Kings last season and is trending in that direction again. The Kings enter action on Tuesday as +113 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

David Rittich
Rittich is expected to start on Tuesday in Vegas.

Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is nearing a return from injury, but stellar play from Rittich has made his absence tolerable. Rittich has allowed two combined goals in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving 40 of 42 shots in the process (.952 SV%). The Czech netminder became a trustworthy option between the pipes for the Kings last season and is trending in that direction again. The Kings enter action on Tuesday as +113 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

David Rittich
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