Hockey is better when the Kings and Ducks are both competitive at the same time. Thus far this season, that’s been the case. The two teams are currently battling for top billing in the Pacific Division and there’s plenty at stake when they meet up on Saturday night.

“We all know it’s probably more than just another game,” coach Jim Hiller said when we asked about the importance of the first of what will be three games against the Ducks over the next couple of weeks. “It’s going to be a great, lively building and they’re ahead of us in the standings. We need to win. So, there’s all those things. I don’t think you have to build it up much more than that. Those things are staring us right in the face, so there’s enough on the line.”

Indeed, there is.

Christmas has come and gone, and it’s back to work for an LA Kings team that has been slumping since their all-world goalie, Darcy Kuemper, went down with an injury. Since leaving a game in Dallas earlier this month, following a hit to the head by Mikko Rantanen, LA has lost 4-of-5 contests, including their last two.

Perhaps more concerning is the fact they scored a total of seven goals over those five games.

Thus, the break could not have come at a better time for Hiller’s group. The hope is that the break refocuses the team and allows them to start fresh as the new year approaches.

Recent history suggests meeting up with Ducks in a Freeway Faceoff at Crypto.com Arena could be just what’s needed right now. Over their last 15 games against their SoCal rivals, LA has posted a 12-1-2 mark.

Of course, any success tonight will likely revolve around whether the Kings are able to score some goals. It’s problem No. 1 currently, and everyone knows about it. The centermen have not produced enough, the defensemen have not made enough plays to help out the forwards, and the power play has been nothing short of a disaster.

On a positive note, games against Anaheim typically see an uptick in offense. Digging deeper into the aforementioned 15-game sample, the Kings only scored a single goal on two occasions (yes, they were losses). Even in the most recent defeat, coming the day after the NHL’s Thanksgiving break, LA produced four goals in what ended as a 5-4 shootout loss (in a game the Kings should have won, but we digress).

Will any of this change tonight, or will the Kings on-ice performance put more pressure on GM Ken Holland to make a roster move?

Statistically Speaking

— How good have the Kings been against the Ducks over the past 15 matchups? LA’s power play has converted above 30% during that stretch.

— Anze Kopitar is set to play in his 95th career regular-season game vs. Anaheim, the fourth-most all-time in NHL history. Further, his 32 goals against the Ducks join teammate Kevin Fiala (20 G) and Edmonton’s Leon Drasiatl (28 G) as the only active skaters in the League to have 20 or more career goals against the Orange County based franchise. Only Patrick Marleau (35 G) and Shane Doan (34 G) have more goals vs. Anaheim in NHL history.

— Alex Turcotte has three points in four career games against the Ducks, including notching his first tally of the year in the team’s last matchup on Nov. 28 at Honda Center.

— Mikey Anderson has five points in his last four games vs. Anaheim, dating back to Oct. 20, 2024.

— Alex Laferriere’s 99 hits leads all Kings skaters and ranks sixth-most in the League among skaters 24 years of age or younger.

What You May Have Missed

Are you looking for lighthearted content or a deep discussion? We have you covered either way:

The Kings and Ducks will add a few twists to their rivalry when they connect for a home-and-home series in a few weeks:

REPORT: Kings and Ducks to Play Color Rush Game in January

And don’t miss the latest KOTP — it’s packed with all the info you need! Topics include:

– Future of LA Kings lineup
– Danault and Bergevin leaving
– Prospects at World Juniors
– FanDuel Network issues
– Jim Hiller rumors
– Ontario Reign
– Much more!

Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 254: We’re Back, But Danault and Bergevin are Gone

Kings Projected Lineup vs. Ducks

If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.

Moore – Kopitar – Kempe
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Kuzmenko – Turcotte – Foegele
Armia – Helenius – Perry

Anderson – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Dumoulin – Ceci

Forsberg (unconfirmed)
Copley

Likely scratches: (F) Malott and (D) Moverare

Injured Reserve: Kuemper

How to Watch the Game

Puck drop is set for 6:00 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by FanDuel Sports. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.

Get to know new Kings play-by-play voice John Kelly by checking out his interview here. He tells some interesting stories about joining the Kings broadcasts and what it was like calling games against them for most of his career.

Across the Ice

Anaheim is coming off a 3-1 loss to Seattle on Monday. Here’s how they lined up in that matchup:

Kreider – Granlund – Terry
Gauthier – McTavish – Sennecke
Vatrano – Harkins – Strome
Johnston – Poehling – Killorn

LaCombe -Trouba
Mintyukov – Gudas
Zellweger – Moore

Dostál

Looks like Leo Carlsson will be back in the lineup and centering the top line tonight against the Kings. Carlsson missed Monday’s game vs. the Kraken with a lower-body injury.#FlyTogether

— Derek Lee (@Derek_Lee27) December 27, 2025

On This Day in Kings History

On December 27, 2010, the @LAKings scored four goals in the third period in a 4-0 win versus the San Jose Sharks. Marco Sturm scored his first goal as a member of the #LAKings, and Dustin Brown scored a highlight reel goal set up from a lob pass by Anze Kopitar.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/uqy5r4FHHh

— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) December 27, 2025

MORE LA KINGS NEWS:

Notes and Video: Reaction from Kings GM Ken Holland on Danault Trade

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