![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025-26-LAK-Projected-Line-Up-X-Dumoulin-Home-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If nothing else, these next two games are going to look a little different on the ice. <\/p>\n
No, not the level of play and\/or output of goals \u2014 that won\u2019t be known until later tonight. <\/p>\n
However, for this weekend\u2019s home-and-home series, the Kings and Ducks won\u2019t be engaging in their typical uniform matchups, as reported here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tonight will be LA\u2019s first color rush game in several decades. They\u2019ll be in their home black kit, while the Ducks are scheduled to skate in their all-orange kit \u2014 something they typically only wear when playing in front of their home crowd in Anaheim. <\/p>\n Tomorrow will look even more unusual, as the Kings will wear their black crown jerseys, while the Ducks will counter with their road whites \u2014 yes, even though they\u2019ll be the home team at Honda Center. <\/p>\n As for the game itself tonight, what can you expect? Well, for starters, Joel Armia is back.<\/p>\n Darcy Kuemper off first. He’ll start tonight for LA vs Anaheim. https:\/\/t.co\/rQbbW2y8Nk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Beyond that, LA enters play tonight with a largely similar narrative of late; the Kings need goals, and they need a win. <\/p>\n Coming off an overtime loss against the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights on Wednesday, frustration is mounting. <\/p>\n Key word postgame: FRUSTRATING<\/p>\n Used repeatedly by Kempe and Anderson.<\/p>\n Both guys talked about how the team is playing better over the last few weeks, but they still need to convert to weeks. <\/p>\n Kempe spoke extensively and honestly. Mikey, normally even keeled, appeeared agitated.<\/p>\n \u2014 The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Fortunately, there is a great opportunity in front of coach Jim Hiller\u2019s group over the next two nights, as they prepare to face the Ducks in consecutive contests \u2014 in two different buildings. <\/p>\n Both clubs are fighting for a playoff spot, making the next 36 hours pivotal for each side suiting up for a double dose of the Freeway Faceoff. <\/p>\n Perhaps what makes this even more interesting is the fact both clubs are quite beat up at the moment. The missing pieces in Los Angeles are rather significant \u2014 including Anze Kopitar and Corey Perry. On the flip side, Anaheim was missing three of its top scorers in their last game on Tuesday: Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Troy Terry were all out. While Terry has been practicing, it remains to be seen who is ready to suit up tonight in Downtown Los Angeles.<\/p>\n Putting the focus back on LA, playing well is simply not enough anymore. It\u2019s time for wins. The schedule has been tough, no doubt. Yet enough is enough, and this group knows that. There\u2019s a massive opportunity facing the Kings tonight and tomorrow, it\u2019s time to see how they respond.<\/p>\n Statistically Speaking<\/p>\n \u2014 Brian Dumoulin registered his second multi-point game (two assists) of the season on Dec. 27 vs. Anaheim. <\/p>\n \u2014 Drew Doughty sits one point shy of 700 in his career (163G, 536A) following his 163rd goal in that aforementioned game vs. the Ducks just a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n \u2014 Alex Laferriere also scored his first career hat trick on Dec. 27 vs. Anaheim.<\/p>\n \u2014 When Andre Lee was recently called up from AHL Ontario, he was the team leader in goals (15), points (27), and power-play goals (7). He was also just named to the AHL All-Star Game.<\/p>\n One additional note on Andre Lee and the AHL All Star Game\u2026<\/p>\n The game itself is in February, during the NHL Olympic break. <\/p>\n However, Lee has already played 5 NHL games. He can only play four more and maintain his waiver exemption. After 10 NHL GP, while they can still send him\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Kings Projected Lineup vs. Ducks<\/p>\n If there are any key changes during pregame warmups, this article will be updated.<\/p>\n Malott \u2013 Laferriere\u2013 Kempe Anderson \u2013 Doughty Kuemper (starter) Likely scratches: (F) N\/A and (D) Moverare<\/p>\n Injured Reserve: Kopitar, Moore <\/p>\n How to Watch the Game<\/p>\n Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm Pacific Time and will be televised by FanDuel Sports. Additionally, a Kings radio feed is available on the ESPN LA app.<\/p>\n With the television landscape changing at a rapid pace, we have all the latest news regarding the latest FanDuel issues here<\/a> \u2014 including how some teams cancelling contracts impacts LA\u2019s plans for the balance of their 2025-26 season. <\/p>\n Across the Ice<\/p>\n Anaheim is coming off a 3-1 win over Dallas on Tuesday. Here\u2019s how they lined up in that matchup:<\/p>\n Kreider \u2013 McTavish \u2013 Strome LaCombe \u2013 Trouba Dost\u00e1l<\/p>\n Troy Terry (upper-body) and Cutter Gauthier (illness) will both return to the lineup tonight, per Quenneville.<\/p>\n Leo Carlsson (lower-body) will not play and is still day-to-day.<\/p>\n Quenneville said that they\u2019ll \u201cprobably know sooner than later\u201d on Carlsson.#FlyTogether<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Derek Lee (@Derek_Lee27) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Chris Kreider will be a game-time decision tonight, per Quenneville.<\/p>\n \u201c(He\u2019s) not feeling great.\u201d#FlyTogether<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/CyixmNfGoA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Derek Lee (@Derek_Lee27) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n On This Day in Kings History<\/p>\n On January 16, 2001, the @LAKings<\/a> came back from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Ottawa Senators in overtime. Luc Robitaille scored two goals, and Bryan Smolinski completed a hat trick by scoring the game-winning goal in a 7-6 win for the #LAKings<\/a>.#GoKingsGo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rwe6sIgquK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Kingstorian (@Kingstorian) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n MORE LA KINGS NEWS:<\/p>\n Kings Of The Podcast Ep. 255: LA\u2019s Full Midseason Review<\/a><\/p>\n Follow @mayorNHL<\/a><\/p>\n Note to webmasters\/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com<\/a><\/p>\n
Foegele \u2013 Byfield \u2013 Armia
Fiala \u2013 Turcotte \u2013 Kuzmenko
Lee \u2013 Helenius \u2013 Ward<\/p>\n
Edmundson \u2013 Clarke
Dumoulin \u2013 Ceci<\/p>\n
Forsberg<\/p>\n
Killorn \u2013 Granlund \u2013 Sennecke
Johnston \u2013 Poehling \u2013 Harkins
Nesterenko \u2013 Washe \u2013 <\/p>\n
Zellweger \u2013 Gudas
Mintyukov \u2013 Helleson<\/p>\n