Kings vs Capitals Game Preview: Kings Still Looking for 1st Win

The 2026-27 NHL season hasn't met Kings fans' and players' expectations, as the Kings are dead last in the NHL and the only winless team. The Kings have faced tough opponents early in the season, but that is no excuse, as the Flyers picked up their 2nd win against the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings have to start winning soon, and tonight is a great chance to end this nightmare start. 

Here are the projected lines for the Kings tonight: 

Artemi Panarin - Alex Laferriere - Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Mats Zuccarello

Erik Haula - Scott Laughton - Joel Armia

Andre Lee - Samuel Helenius - Corey Perry

Erik Gustafsson - Brandt Clarke

Joel Edmundson - Drew Doughty

Mikey Anderson - Brian Dumoulin

Darcy Kuemper

Anton Forsberg

Here are the projected lines for the Capitals tonight: 

Alex Tuch - Dylan Strome - Jordan Kyrou 

Alex Ovechkin - Ilya Protas - Ivan Miroshnichenko

Alaiksei Protas - Boone Jenner - Tom Wilson

Anthony Beauvillier - Jonny Brodzinski - Ryan Leonard

Jakob Chychrun - Matt Roy

Martin Fehervary - Vincent Desharnais

Cole Hutson - Timothy Liljegren

Logan Thompson

Charlie Lindgren

Darcy Kuemper is set to make his 1st start since being pulled in the game against the Edmonton Oilers, and it is against his former team. The Capitals will likely start Logan Thompson tonight. The Kings will be without Alex Turcotte (undisclosed) and Kevin Fiala (leg surgery) but will have Mats Zuccarello back in the lineup tonight. The Capitals will be without Rasmus Sandin (knee), Pierre-Luc Dubois (illness), and Justin Sourdif (illness). 

The Kings will need to play their best tonight to get their first win of the season. The Kings have shown they can play good hockey against strong NHL teams at times this season, but they need to play the whole game to secure the win. 

The Kings take on the Capitals tonight at 7 PM EST.