TONIGHT’S SHOWDOWN: The Kings return to the rink for the first time since February 9, hosting the Utah Hockey Club as they kick off a three-game homestand.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Los Angeles secured a narrow 3-2 win against Utah in their previous encounter this October.

In that first meeting of the season, defenseman Joel Edmundson shone with two goals, supported by defenseman Brandt Clarke (1 goal, 1 assist) and forward Adrian Kempe (2 assists). Notably, Edmundson is one of only two defensemen in the NHL to have multiple career goals against Utah, alongside Anaheim’s Pavel Mintyukov.

KINGS UPDATES: Following a week of preparation, the Kings held an optional morning skate in El Segundo as they prepare for tonight’s game.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper looks poised to return to the net after missing the last two games. In their previous face-off against Utah, Kuemper recorded an impressive 24 saves on 26 shots, marking his inaugural appearance against the expansion team.

Based on the practices this week, here is a possible lineup for the matchup against Utah:

Turcotte – Kopitar – Kempe
Foegele – Danault – Moore
Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
Jeannot – Lewis

Anderson – Gavrikov
Edmundson – Doughty
Moverare – Spence
Clarke

Kuemper
Rittich

Mikey Anderson is set to make his return after missing the last four games due to an upper-body injury. Having fully participated in practices since the break, he’s now officially activated from injured reserve.

Additionally, defenseman Drew Doughty is anticipated to play following his time with the 4 Nations Face-Off. Given practice patterns, the Kings might opt for an 11/7 alignment tonight, a strategy mentioned by Jim Hiller recently.

UTAH HC UPDATES: Like the Kings, Utah returns from their break after winning three of their last four games.

According to Brogan Houston of the Deseret News, Utah lined up during practice on Thursday as follows:

Today’s lines:

Keller – Kerfoot/Cooley – Schmaltz
Carcone – Hayton – Guenther
Crouse/Maccelli – McBain – Doan
O’Brien – Stenlund – Bjugstad

Sergachev – Marino
Määttä – Durzi
Cole – Kesselring
Välimäki – DeSimone
Bortuzzo

Vejmelka
Ingram
Stauber#UtahHC

— Brogan Houston (@houston_brogan) February 20, 2025

Sean Durzi, a former Kings defenseman, is expected to rejoin the lineup tonight following his recovery from a shoulder injury that kept him on injured reserve since mid-October. Last season, he scored once against his former team while playing for the Arizona Coyotes.

STORYLINE OF THE DAY – GOOD TO BE BACK:
The break was timely for the Kings.

Having endured 10 losses on the road leading up to February, this homestand is a pivotal moment for regrouping, especially as the team needed a breather.

“We had a lot of games, especially on the road, so it was great to be home and not worry about travel,” said forward Anze Kopitar. “Sometimes breaks happen at inconvenient times, but for us, it came at a perfect moment to refresh and take a mental break from hockey.”

Throughout the past week’s practices, the Kings exhibited signs of renewed energy.

Jim Hiller praised the team’s performance during practices and noted the intensity they brought on Tuesday and Wednesday. After a day off on Thursday, the team participated in a productive skate yesterday, bringing everyone back together, excluding Drew Doughty. Players echoed their satisfaction with returning to practice.

“We definitely feel rejuvenated after three strong practices and are ready for tonight,” said forward Phillip Danault. “We’re emotionally reset and excited to play with passion, pushing towards the playoffs.”

While those sentiments are promising, it’s crucial to leverage their rested state to their advantage. Every team faces a break, so no one has a distinct edge. However, for some, the pause may have disrupted their momentum.

The Kings have 29 games remaining in just 55 days, averaging less than a game every other night. This busy stretch includes five back-to-back matchups, with only three sets offering multiple days off—none exceeding three days between games. Fortunately, 19 of their final 29 games will take place at home, with the longest road trip being a moderate three games.

The season resumes tonight with the Kings starting afresh, and Hiller anticipates a high-energy game from both teams. “It feels like the beginning of the season again,” Hiller remarked. “While I’m sure other teams feel similarly, I expect to see good energy from both sides tonight, although execution may vary.”

3 THINGS TO WATCH:
– Hiller confirms Drew Doughty’s expected participation tonight, stating that he’s had ample rest and is ready to contribute.

Drew Doughty is expected to be in the @LAKings lineup tomorrow against Utah, per Jim Hiller.

“He’s had plenty of time off; he’d be the first to tell you.”

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) February 21, 2025

Doughty’s time off has been beneficial, as highlighted by his strong performance at the 4 Nations tournament. Hiller is counting on Doughty’s return impacting the team positively tonight.

– This marks an opportunity for the Kings to utilize a full roster for the first time this season.

While the game against Florida on January 29 allowed for this, it was Doughty’s first game back, and he wasn’t fully in sync. With 10 games played since, Doughty is now fully prepared. Like before, the team initially paired Mikey Anderson and Vladislav Gavrikov together during practices, suggesting a chance for continued collaboration on the ice.

— Lastly, the 11/7 strategy seems likely, providing the coaching staff with additional options and adding depth to their offensive strategy.

As the season progresses, Hiller noted that the 11/7 formation “is always a consideration,” relating to various game-time decisions.

For tonight, it appears the Kings may adopt this style as they prepare for the match.

Two competitive hockey teams are set to square off tonight in Los Angeles. Excitement is in the air as the Kings embark on a series of crucial home games over the coming days!