The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] are still chasing a playoff spot after a 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins]. That game was a low-scoring affair, as the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] tied it with 6 minutes left in the 3rd before Boston [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] won it in overtime. The Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] are coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues], in which they clawed back from a 3-0 deficit and scored 4 unanswered goals for the win. This game has major implications for both teams as they are both in the playoff race. This is the second matchup between the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] and Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders], and the last meeting ended with the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] winning 5-3. KINGS PROJECTED LINES Here are the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings]' projected lines [https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-lineup-projections-2025-26-season]: Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere Alex Turcotte - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci Darcy Kuemper Anton Forsberg ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES Here are the Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders]' projected lines [https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-lineup-projections-2025-26-season]: Emil Heineman - Bo Horvat - Calum Ritchie Ondrej Palat - Brayden Schenn - Mathew Barzal Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Simon Holmstrom Max Shabanov - Casey Cizikas - Marc Gatcomb Matthew Schaefer - Ryan Pulock Adam Pelech - Tony DeAngelo Carson Soucy - Scott Mayfield Ilya Sorokin David Rittich INJURIES AND LINE CHANGES The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] have scratched Mathieu Joseph and Jacob Moverare, and they do not have any new injuries to report. The Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] are scratching Anthony Duclair, Kyle MacLean and Adam Boqvist. Both of these teams are playing their first game of a back-to-back. The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] are likely going to start Darcy Kuemper, and the Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] are likely to start Ilya Sorokin. KEY FACTORS The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] will be looking at Darcy Kuemper tonight as he is coming off a 23-save game against Boston, but with the playoffs around the corner, the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] will need Kuemper at his best, especially during this playoff push. The Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] will also have to beat one of the NHL's best goalies tonight in Ilya Sorokin, who, in his last 5 starts, has a record of 4-1. One of the biggest factors for the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] tonight will once again be the duo of Panarin and Kempe, as since their 1st game against the Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders], they have combined for 11 points in the last 4 games, making them a major factor in tonight's matchup. It is also worth noting that Anze Kopitar is 2 points away from tying Marcel Dionne for the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings]' franchise points record. Overall, this is a very important game for both teams: the Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] look to overtake the Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] for 2nd in the metro, and the Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] look to move into the 2nd wild card spot. My predictions for tonight's matchup are a 4-3 Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] win.
