The Los Angeles Kings are set to face off against the Vegas Golden Knights in their second game of the 2025-26 regular season. The matchup will take place on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM Pacific at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This game follows a challenging defeat for the Kings against the Colorado Avalanche in their season opener. Fans can catch the game via TNT or through the LA Kings and ESPN LA apps.
Game Preview: Kings vs. Golden Knights
As the Kings prepare for this encounter, they are looking to rebound after their recent loss. Key players from the previous season, including Quinton Byfield, Warren Foegele, and Adrian Kempe, recorded six points against Vegas last year. Foegele notably achieved a goal in every game against the Golden Knights, ending with four goals overall. Byfield led the team with five assists in that series.
Kings Lineup and Strategy
The Kings made history by becoming the first NHL team to participate in back-to-back games to start the season. Goaltender Anton Forsberg is expected to start, marking his debut with the Kings after signing a two-year contract on July 1. Forsberg has prior experience against the Golden Knights, holding a record of 1-2-0, with a save percentage of .889 over three games.
- King’s Expected Lines:
- Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
- Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere
- Foegele – Danault – Moore
- Malott – Turcotte – Armia
- Defensemen:
- Anderson – Doughty
- Edmundson – Clarke
- Dumoulin – Ceci
The Kings traveled with 22 healthy players, alongside Jacob Moverare and Samuel Helenius who are available if changes are needed.
Golden Knights Season Opener
In contrast, tonight marks the season opener for the Vegas Golden Knights. The team has newly acquired Mitch Marner, who signed an eight-year deal with the franchise. He is expected to play alongside Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev on the top line. However, the Knights will miss defenseman Alex Pietrangelo for the entire season due to injury.
- Golden Knights Lines:
- Barbashev – Eichel – Marner
- Saad – Hertl – Dorofeyev
- Smith – Karlsson – Stone
- Howden – Sissons – Kolesar
Motivation for a Better Performance
The Kings are determined to improve upon their last performance against Colorado. Adrian Kempe expressed the urgency to redeem themselves, indicating that the team would have preferred to play immediately after the loss. Defenseman Drew Doughty emphasized the need to return to their successful playing style, as many self-inflicted mistakes marred their previous game. Coach Jim Hiller has stressed the importance of a strong forecheck against the Golden Knights, aiming to create more offensive opportunities.
With previous success in similar scenarios, including a thrilling 6-5 win against Vegas last season, the Kings hope to capture that momentum again. Fans can expect a motivated effort from a team eager to showcase their skills after a disappointing opener.
Key Players to Watch
- Anton Forsberg: Debuting as the Kings’ goaltender, his performance will be crucial.
- Mitch Marner: Making his Golden Knights debut, his impact will be closely monitored.
- Warren Foegele: Coming off a solid performance last season against Vegas, he will look to repeat that success.
Tonight’s match promises to be an exciting clash as both teams seek to start the season on a strong note. Fans can tune in for what is sure to be a competitive matchup in Las Vegas.
