The Kings are set to play the Minnesota Wild today in the second half of a back-to-back. Last year, the Kings went 14-7-3 in back-to-back contests (10-1-1 in the first game, 4-6-2 in the second game). LA will look to improve that second-half record from last year starting tonight.
In their last outing to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, 13 skaters recorded at least one point in a 7-3 win over the Wild on Oct. 19, 2023. In that game, Pierre Luc Dubois had a two-goal performance.
The Kings may make changes upfront, depending on Alex Turcotte's availability, after a heavy collision along the boards last night against the Nashville Predators.
Should he not go, expect Alex Laferriere to take his place on the top line. It could be choice timing, as the top six looked to be genuinely breaking out.
Regarding Laferriere, only Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov (9G) and Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl (8G) have more even-strength goals than Laferriere's seven. Laferriere is one of 12 skaters in Kings history to record at least seven even-strength goals through the first 13 games to start a season and is just the fourth to do so aged 23 years or younger.
Speaking of the top line, Anze Kopitar's 57 points (17g, 40a) rank fifth all-time in points against the Wild. He enters tonight with eight points (2-6=8) in his last six appearances vs. Minnesota.
Conversely, the Kings know who to be mindful of in the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov is on a tear this year with 7g 14a for 21 points in 11 games. Kaprizov is a point-per-game player against the Kings in his career (17gp 10g, 7a).
Much talk has been about the King's young talent, but the Wild bring in some high-end talent of their own. Matt Boldy is having an excellent start to the year (11gp 6g 7a 13p) and Marco Rossi (11gp 3g 7a 10p) may be on the verge of really breaking out.
After coming off a shutout, you would typically go right back to the same tender, but we will see David Rittich on a back-to-back. Good news for the Kings as Rittich has not lost in regulation in his career against the Wild (5gp 4-0-1 2.33 GAA .931Sv).
The Kings were perfect on the penalty kill last night against the Predators. Although their powerplay had an off night, it was dangerous against the top penalty kill in the league.
If the same recipe applies for tonight and the Kings can maintain their five-on-five solid play, they can squeeze out some points in a tough building.