Kuzmenko broke onto the NHL scene in the 2022-23 season with a tremendous 74 points (39G / 35A) in 81 games with the Vancouver Canucks. The now 28-year-old has struggled to recapture that scoring prowess, with only 61 points (26G / 35A) in 109 games since.
Anderson was struck by a puck late in the first period of Thursday's game and was unable to return. Los Angeles did not provide an update post game but Head Coach Jim Hiller mentioned that they were "concerned".
Kuzmenko was a late scratch on Thursday after taking full part in the morning skate earlier in the day. It's unclear if he's simply a healthy scratch or dealing with some sort of injury. Kevin Rooney will draw into the lineup in his place.
The Kings failed to score on Wednesday, losing 3-0 to the Florida Panthers, and will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rittich struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.65 GAA and .884 SV% in 22 appearances this season (11-10-0). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as +130 road underdogs against a Lightning squad with losses in four of their last five games (1-4-0).
Doughty made his season debut on Wednesday, returning from a 47-game absence due to ankle surgery, and could miss Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning as he acclimates back to game-speed. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs, and a +15 plus/minus.
The Kings failed to score on Wednesday, losing 3-0 to the Florida Panthers, and will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rittich struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.65 GAA and .884 SV% in 22 appearances this season (11-10-0). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as +130 road underdogs against a Lightning squad with losses in four of their last five games (1-4-0).
Clarke is presumably not battling any sort of injury and is simply a healthy scratch to make way for Drew Doughty's long anticipated season debut. The 21-year-old Clarke has three goals and 21 assists in 47 games this season.
Fiala is battling an illness but will be available for Wednesday's contest against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old forward has 29 points (16G / 13A) in 46 games and his pacing for his worst offensive output since the 2018-19 season when he has 39 points (13G / 26A) in 83 games. That said, he has picked it up lately, with seven points (2G / 5A) in his last six games.
The Kings have lost four of their last five (1-3-1) and will roll with Kuemper between the pipes on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. Kuemper struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 34-year-old netminder has a solid 2.17 GAA and .918 SV% through 26 appearances (14-5-6) but has struggled lately, posting a .890 SV% in his last four (1-2-1). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as +135 road underdogs against a Panthers squad coming off a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Kings have lost four of their last five (1-3-1) and will likely roll with Kuemper between the pipes on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. Kuemper struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 27 shots (.852 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 34-year-old netminder has a solid 2.17 GAA and .918 SV% through 26 appearances (14-5-6) but has struggled lately, posting a .890 SV% in his last four (1-2-1). The Kings enter Wednesday's contest as +135 road underdogs against a Panthers squad coming off a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Helenius has spent some time in the AHL lately, where he has three points (2G / 1A) in nine games with the Ontario Reign. The 22-year-old forward has three points (1G / 2A) in 27 games with the Kings.
Fiala is battling an illness and could miss Wednesday's contest against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old forward has 29 points (16G / 13A) in 46 games and his pacing for his worst offensive output since the 2018-19 season when he has 39 points (13G / 26A) in 83 games. That said, he has picked it up lately, with seven points (2G / 5A) in his last six games.
Doughty underwent ankle surgery after being injured in the preseason and has missed the first 47 games of the season but will finally debut on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. He has been a staple on the Kings' blueline for over a decade. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs, and a +15 plus/minus.
Doughty underwent ankle surgery after being injured in the preseason and has missed the first 47 games of the season but will finally debut on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. He has been a staple on the Kings' blueline for over a decade. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs, and a +15 plus/minus.
The Kings have lost five of their last seven (2-4-1) and will turn to Kuemper between the pipes on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Kuemper allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 34-year-old netminder has a 2.09 GAA and .920 SV% in 25 appearances this season (14-4-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as -145 road favorites against a Red Wings team that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last five (2-2-1).
The Kings have lost five of their last seven (2-4-1) and will likely turn to Kuemper between the pipes on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. Kuemper allowed three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 34-year-old netminder has a 2.09 GAA and .920 SV% in 25 appearances this season (14-4-6). The Kings enter Monday's contest as -145 road favorites against a Red Wings team that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last five (2-2-1).
Doughty has missed the first 46 games of the season but has been ramping up his on-ice activity over the last week. Per Darren Dreger, Doughty's health is great, but the Kings are allowing him time to get back up to speed before he makes his season debut. Don't expect to see Doughty in Detroit on Monday but he could be in by the end of the week.
