The Los Angeles Kings are set to host the undefeated Carolina Panthers on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Crypto.com Arena. The Kings, currently struggling with a record of 1-3-1, are looking to bounce back after a recent loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where they fell 4-2 despite leading 2-0 at one point.
In their last outing, the Kings faced a disappointing defeat against the Penguins. Center Phillip Danault expressed frustration, stating, “We could have buried many more than two, that’s for sure.” The Kings have yet to hold a third-period lead this season, with their only victory coming from a rally against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Kings are dealing with significant injuries, including that of team captain Anže Kopitar, who has been downgraded to “week-to-week” due to a foot injury. Goalie Darcy Kuemper is also questionable for Saturday’s game due to a lower body issue. Meanwhile, forward Corey Perry is making progress on his return from a knee injury.
Special teams have been a particular weakness for the Kings this season, as they currently lead the league in penalties taken, having been short-handed 24 times. In the game against Pittsburgh, they allowed goals both while on the power play and while short-handed, contributing to their current struggles.
Kings coach Jim Hiller acknowledged the team’s challenges, stating, “We’re in a hole, and we’re in a funk, there’s no question.” He noted that while the team has shown moments of competitiveness, they must find a way to sustain their performance throughout the game.
Despite the setbacks, there were some bright spots in the loss to Pittsburgh. Warren Foegele opened the scoring, while Alex Laferriere delivered one of his best performances of the season. On defense, Drew Doughty and Brian Dumoulin formed an effective pairing, and Cody Ceci recorded his first point with the Kings, providing a secondary assist on Foegele’s goal.
As they prepare for the Panthers, the Kings find themselves ranked among the bottom five teams in penalty-kill percentage and tied for the sixth-most goals allowed per game. Trevor Moore, a winger for the Kings, emphasized the need for the team to come together, stating, “We’ve just got to put it all together, and we will. It’s still early in the year, you can’t panic yet.”
The upcoming matchup against the Panthers presents a significant challenge. Carolina boasts a flawless record of 4-0-0 and leads the league with a goal differential of +11. In contrast, the Kings are seeking to improve their standing as they face a team that has yet to experience defeat this season.
As the Kings aim to break free from their current struggles, the encounter with the Panthers will be a crucial test. Fans will be looking for a shift in momentum as the team strives to regain its footing in the league. The puck drops at 6 p.m. local time on Saturday, and the Kings hope to turn the tide in front of their home crowd.
