The Kings vs Oilers game day story starts with a reshuffled lineup. The Los Angeles Kings (0-2-2) host the Edmonton Oilers (4-0-1) tonight at 7:30 p.m. PT at Crypto.com Arena, still looking for their first win. On Monday Peter Laviolette changed all four forward lines and spent a large part of practice on the five-on-three power play. Across the ice, Connor McDavid is set to play his 800th NHL game.
Our Kings vs Oilers preview covered the injured reserve situation and Edmonton’s scoring numbers. This piece covers what changed at Monday’s practice.
Kings vs Oilers Game Day: The New Lines
These were the Kings’ forward lines at Monday’s practice, as reported by Alexander Legget of The Mayor’s Manor:
- Artemi Panarin – Quinton Byfield – Adrian Kempe
- Alex Laferriere – Erik Haula – Corey Perry
- Trevor Moore – Scott Laughton – Joel Armia
- Andre Lee – Samuel Helenius – Jared Wright
The defense pairs were rotated during practice, so the pairings for tonight are not clear. Practice lines are a strong hint but not a guarantee. The Kings will confirm the lineup closer to puck drop.
Laviolette explained why he made changes. “With the injuries and players coming out of the lineup,” he said, the staff was “taking a different look.” Mats Zuccarello and Alex Turcotte are on injured reserve and cannot play tonight. Kevin Fiala is still on injured reserve with a lower-leg fracture. Fiala and Zuccarello both skated on their own before practice, according to The Mayor’s Manor. That is a step forward, but neither is close to playing tonight.
The Five-on-Three Problem
The Kings spent a large part of Monday’s practice on the two-man advantage after failing to score on one recently. Kempe called that failure “unacceptable.” Panarin’s view was simple: shoot more. “If you take six shots in a five-on-three, you’ll probably score,” he said.
Laviolette said the same thing in his own words, according to LA Kings Insider: “Sometimes the best offense can be the simplest offense.” Through four games, the Kings have scored 10 goals and allowed 17, according to NHL.com. Their last two losses were both 2-1. One more goal would have changed either game, and the power play is the obvious place to find it.
Laughton kept his focus on the result. “It’s a big game tomorrow; just get one on the board,” he said Monday.
The Kings’ official channel posted Monday’s media availability with Laughton, Panarin and Laviolette:
The Goalie Picture
Laviolette has not named tonight’s starter, but he spoke well of Darcy Kuemper on Monday. “I think he’s played well,” he said. “The last couple outings, he’s been really good.” Kuemper’s save percentage for the season is .868 in three games, per NHL.com, but he allowed only two goals in each of the last two losses. Anton Forsberg has started once. Until the Kings announce a starter, treat Kuemper as likely but not confirmed.
Edmonton’s Side
The Oilers are finishing a three-game California trip and are trying for a fifth straight win. A win tonight would make it a perfect trip, according to Edmonton’s official preview by Jamie Umbach. They return home for Utah next.
- Connor McDavid’s 800th game. McDavid leads the NHL with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in five games, one ahead of teammate Evan Bouchard and Vegas’s Jack Eichel, per the Oilers’ preview. His 13 points through five games match his 2021-22 start. The Oilers’ preview says only New Jersey’s Jack Hughes, with 14 points through five games in 2023-24, has done better.
- Mattias Ekholm: took a maintenance day Monday and is expected to play, according to coach Mike Babcock, as reported by Sportsnet’s Mark Spector.
- Zach Hyman: described as close to a coin flip for tonight, per Spector’s report.
- Devon Levi: was in the starter’s net at Monday’s practice, per the same report. Levi is 3-0 this season, according to NHL.com. Edmonton has not officially confirmed him as the starter.
- Jake Walman: did not play Saturday with an upper-body injury. His status for tonight has not been reported.
The Oilers also have a new face taking key faceoffs. Owen Michaels, a 24-year-old with only five professional games, won 10 of 12 draws in Saturday’s win over San Jose. He is 30-for-65 (60.0 percent) on the season and has scored twice, according to the Oilers’ preview. “He’s playing against really good players every single night, and he still seems to be competitive and doing well,” Babcock said.
Babcock also praised McDavid. “He’s a proud guy who’s a really good teammate, and is pushing the guys by example every day,” he said.
What Is at Stake
The Oilers’ preview points out a number that should get the Kings’ attention: Los Angeles has not gone winless in its first five games since 1997-98. Edmonton, meanwhile, is trying to start a season with points in six straight games for only the third time in franchise history, the last time in 1984-85.
The rivalry adds to it. Edmonton eliminated the Kings in the first round four straight years, from 2022 through 2025. An October game does not settle anything, but a home win over this opponent would be a good way for the Kings to get their first two points.
What to Watch Tonight
- The Panarin–Byfield–Kempe line. Panarin has scored in all three road games but has not scored at home yet. This line will likely face McDavid’s line often.
- Shots on the power play. If the Kings get a five-on-three, watch whether they shoot quickly, the way Panarin said they should.
- Last change. At home, Laviolette chooses the matchups against McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
- Edmonton’s goalie. Levi has been the hot hand.
After tonight, the Kings host the Boston Bruins on Saturday, October 17, at 6 p.m. PT.
Unconfirmed
- The Kings’ lineup and starting goalie. The lines above are from practice.
- Edmonton’s starter. Levi was in the starter’s net Monday, but that is not an announcement.
- Whether Hyman and Walman play.
- Return timelines for Fiala and Zuccarello. Skating on their own does not mean they are cleared.
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