The Los Angeles Kings begin their annual Pennsylvania road trip taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins before heading into Philadelphia on Thursday.
LA enters this contest having won eight of their last ten games. During that span, they’ve averaged 3.10 GF/G and 2.00 GA/G, only four of their thirty-one goals on the power play.
In their last five games played, Pittsburgh haven't been unable to string together consecutive wins: L-W-L-W-L. Despite going 2-3, the Penguins have outscored the opposition 20-17.
At home, the Penguins have an 8-7-2 record. On the road, the Kings have an 8-7-2 record. No, that’s not a typo.
9 One-One
Kings Forward Adrian Kempe has come on strong lately with six points (3G, 3A) in his last four games played. He’s had an even split of one goal and one assist in three of those contests.
In fact, he’s had eight one-and-one (1G, 1A) performances so far, this season, with a collective +16 rating.
Kempe has even numbers across the board with thirty points in thirty games played, including fifteen goals and fifteen assists. Heck, he’s a +16 with sixteen PIMS.
Juice, do you have the lottery numbers? Asking for a friend.
Glass Ceiling
On August 13th, 2024, the Penguins made a trade with the Nashville Predators acquiring former 6th-overall draft pick Cody Glass.
Glass’ road to the NHL hasn’t been paved in gold but he’s finding his footing.
This season, Glass has just one goal and six assists in nineteen appearances. However, that goal and two of those assists have come in his last five games played – a noticeable increase from 0.29 points per game to 0.37 PPG.
In thirteen career games against the Kings, Glass has six points (2G, 4A) – 0.46 PPG – four points (1G, 3A) in their last six meetings.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Glass in his draft year and he couldn’t have been a nicer guy. As an objective reporter, I don’t have a dog in this fight. On a personal note, I wish him nothing but success.
Thirty-Seven-Years Young
Thirty-seven-years old, Stanley Cup champion, Center, Captain, leading his team in points and assists, ranked number one by NHL Central Scouting Services in 2005, has never graced the cover of an NHL video game.
Who does this resume belong to: Sidney Crosby or Anze Kopitar?
Answer: Both.
It’s no secret what both competitors have meant to the success of their individual franchises. Yet, it’s still remarkable what they’ve been able to accomplish in what should be the twilight of their careers.
Both are surefire, first-ballot, Hall of Famers who will forever be immortalized when their likenesses are cast in bronze and their numbers ascend to the rafters.
Players come and go. Legends live forever.
Puck drop is slated for 4:05 PM PST. You can watch the game on television via FanDuel Sports Network or listen live with the ESPN LA app.
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