The Kings debuted new jerseys and new additions to their roster this preseason in advance of their season opener in Buffalo on Oct. 10.
But that was just the warm-up act for an 82-game grind, with these four contests providing perhaps the most compelling reasons to tune in to this iteration of Kings hockey.
Feb. 28 at Dallas Stars
The Kings struggled against the Western Conference’s top teams last year, with the exception of Vancouver, but no club vexed them more than Dallas, which won all three meetings by an aggregate count of 13-3. The last of three matchups with the Stars, this could provide a measuring stick as the Kings seek to kick into the stretch. Dallas lost four big bodies, including three on the back end, and longtime Kings nemesis Joe Pavelski retired, but the Stars dipped into the free-agent market on defense while counting on promotions up front (like those of Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque) to shore up their attack.
March 13 vs. Washington Capitals
Pierre-Luc Dubois and former-turned-current King Darcy Kuemper’s paths criss-crossed in June when the two were swapped in a deal the Caps hoped was a buy-low on the $68 million man they received in exchange for a goalie who had slid down their depth chart. Then, on July 1, the plot thickened when stalwart defenseman Matt Roy inked a six-year pact with Washington in free agency. This is the second and final showdown between the two clubs, and the only one at Crypto.com Arena. Dubois has been booed in his returns to his previous stops, Columbus and Winnipeg, and all signs point to him keeping his unblemished record of blemishes intact.
March 25 vs. New York Rangers
Though the Kings produced a rare January win, 2-1, against the Rangers and 2012 Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick in the Blue Shirts’ visit to Southern California last year, Quick had snagged a 4-1 victory at Madison Square Garden in December. With Quick returning to the Rangers, his childhood-favorite franchise, and the Kings still icing Anze Kopitar, Trevor Lewis and, assuming his broken ankle has healed by then, Drew Doughty, the emotions will run high once more as the former franchise icon pushes from post to post at Crypto.com Arena.
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April 14 at Edmonton Oilers
Whether they prefer throwing darts, hurling axes or getting a few rounds off at the shooting range, there’s a decent chance that an Oilers logo or Connor McDavid’s face is on the target when the Kings are letting off steam. They’ve been scorched by Edmonton and its power play three years in a row in the first round of the playoffs, with victory feeling more elusive and distant with each passing season despite making moves to improve their chances. Not only will this be the final clash between these rivals, but it will be Game 81 of the season for both teams, making it a potential playoff preview, a game that could determine seeding and a barometer for postseason preparedness.