The Los Angeles Kings are on a winning streak, having secured consecutive victories for the first time in a month. Following their recent successes against the Minnesota Wild, they now prepare to face the San Jose Sharks and emerging star Macklin Celebrini on Wednesday, January 31, at Crypto.com Arena. This matchup marks the conclusion of their homestand, and the Kings are eager to build upon their newfound offensive momentum.
The Kings defeated the Wild twice in three days, with the latter victory showcasing a dynamic line combination of Kevin Fiala, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Alex Turcotte. Kuzmenko played a pivotal role, scoring the game-winning goal and contributing to Fiala’s scoring efforts. “We can get a little bit better every game,” Kuzmenko stated. “I hope there’s a little bit better connection, and that every game it’ll get better and better, and we score more goals.”
Head Coach Jim Hiller has been experimenting with various line combinations to enhance the Kings’ scoring ability, as they have faced numerous tightly contested matches. Thirty-one of their forty-one games have been decided by a single goal or an empty-netter, including their last three contests. With only four wins out of ten decisive games, a consistent scoring threat could provide the Kings with the separation they need.
Hiller expressed optimism about the Turcotte line’s potential, noting their previous near-misses before their recent goal-scoring success. “Since they’ve been together, they’ve been our most dangerous offensive line,” Hiller remarked. “Typically, Fiala and Kuzmenko don’t play together because they can complement two other lines, but they’ve been pretty magical together.”
This emerging trio becomes even more crucial as the Kings face recent challenges on their roster. The trade of Phillip Danault and the inconsistent availability of Trevor Moore have compounded their difficulties. Additionally, injuries to captain Anže Kopitar and Joel Armia during Monday’s game have left the team with uncertainty. The Kings canceled practice on Tuesday but provided an update indicating that both players are day-to-day.
In their upcoming match against the Sharks, the Kings will contend with Celebrini, who has been a standout performer for San Jose. Celebrini has contributed to an impressive sixty-three points out of the Sharks’ total 125 goals this season, making him a key player to watch. His impact is even more pronounced on special teams, where he has been involved in seventeen of their twenty-six power play goals.
As the Kings and Sharks prepare to face off, the matchup promises to be an exciting one, showcasing emerging talent and established players alike. The game is set to begin at 19:30 local time, and fans will be eager to see if the Kings can maintain their momentum against a formidable opponent.
