It’s often said there are no easy games in the NHL. While true, tonight may prove to be even a little more challenging than normal for the LA Kings.

They’re in Denver to take on an Avalanche team that holds a 15-0-2 record when playing at Ball Arena this season. Even with the coach Jim Hiller guiding the Kings to an 11-4-5 record on the road, this still feels like a tall task — especially without Darcy Kuemper.

“If you want to build on something, go out and beat the best team in the league in their building,” Hiller said, when asked about the challenge that lies ahead, while also trying to build some momentum coming out of Saturday’s big win over the Ducks. “That’s a big challenge. But I think after a game like [that], you feel a little bit better about yourself, and you go in there in the right frame of mind and see if you can’t get that done.”

Forward Alex Laferriere had his first career hat trick last time out, and both coach and player had positive things to say about each other afterward.

Laffy on how Hiller has handled the Kings frustrating stretch over the past few weeks… pic.twitter.com/DEs5EfIUjg

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 29, 2025

Hiller on Laffy, and why there’s such effective communication between the two of them… pic.twitter.com/jnoKsz5SzC

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 29, 2025

When the puck drops tonight in Colorado, it will be the most challenging game that Los Angeles has played in months. The Avs have been an unstoppable force all season. It’s almost as if they are in a different league.

However, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

Looking past any David vs. Goliath theme of the evening, this entire Kings season has been filled with hills and valleys, along with very little consistency. Their best effort to date came just 48 hours ago. Hiller even remarked that the effort from his group on Saturday night reminded him of how they played in the later months of last season when they themselves were an unstoppable force. If that version of the Kings can show up tonight, perhaps a showdown is in the works.

In addition to Laferriere, LA has another player to watch out for tonight: Quinton Byfield. He played a dominant game on Saturday, driving play for his line and was rewarded with his first goal in several weeks. That version of Byfield is what Hiller has been looking for. Meanwhile, Laferriere has been one of the most consistent Kings forwards all season and has become a staple of the team’s top-6 attack. Of course, both individuals are essential if Los Angeles is to have success the rest of the way.

No lineup changes are predicted for tonight.

Statistically Speaking

— Anze Kopitar is set to play in his 33rd and final road game against the Avalanche at Ball Arena (trailing only Brent Burns’ 38 GP among active NHL skaters). The captain’s 33 road points and 65 overall points against Colorado are also the most among active skaters.

— With his first period goal in Saturday’s win over Anaheim, defenseman Drew Doughty sits one point away from recording the 700th point of his career. Only 31 blueliners in NHL history have eclipsed the 700-point marks in their career.

— Kevin Fiala has three goals in his last two games against the Colorado Avalanche, dating back to April 12, 2025.

— Trevor Moore picked up his fifth goal of the season and 99th of his career this past Saturday against the Ducks. Auston Matthews (416 G), Jason Zucker (226 G) and Jason Robertson (191 G) are the only California-born skaters to reach the 100-goal mark in NHL history.

What You May Have Missed

Reminder – #GoKingsGo will not be wearing their normal road jerseys in Colorado tonight.

Story: https://t.co/TyLSiLVKkq pic.twitter.com/26FiN9744s

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) December 29, 2025

And there was plenty of good ground covered in this weekend’s NHL radio spot:

NHL RADIO REPLAY: Talking Kings NHL Roster Options, Plus Prospects at World Juniors

Kings Projected Lineup vs. Avs

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

Laferriere – Kopitar – Kempe
Foegele – Byfield – Moore
Fiala – Turcotte – Kuzmenko
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

Colorado is coming off a 6-5 victory over Vegas on Saturday. Here’s how they lined up in that matchup:

Landeskog – MacKinnon – Necas
Lehkonen – Nelson – Nichushkin
Olofsson – Colton – Brindley
Kelly – Drury – Kiviranta

Toews – Makar
Manson – Burns
Girard – Malinski

NOTE: Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start vs. LA

On This Day in Kings History

On December 29, 1990, Dave Taylor scored his 400th career NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens. Taylor became the second player in @LAKings‘ history to score 400 goals, and the 30th player in NHL history to reach the 400-goal milestone.#LAKings #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/38Jlb2Qs3X

— The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) December 29, 2025

MORE LA KINGS NEWS:

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

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