After the Kings’ 2024-25 roster crystalized Monday, Tuesday brought an announcement of their schedule for the upcoming campaign.
Here’s a look ahead at half a dozen can’t-miss contests for the season ahead:
Oct. 24 vs. San Jose Sharks
As final touches are put on the final phase of the Crypto.com Arena renovation, the Kings will start the year on the road for seven games, five back East before playing in Vegas and Anaheim. That’ll push their home opener all the way back to Oct. 24. Then, they’ll welcome the San Jose Sharks, who this year will feature No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini as well as former King Tyler Toffoli, who opted to sign with the Sharks for four years and $24 million Monday. The delay of the home opener has its benefits: The Kings will play 21 of their final 32 games in their friendly confines.
Nov. 4 at Nashville Predators
When the Kings touch down in the land of honky tonks, there’ll be new faces awaiting them as the Preds were the alpha and omega of the free-agent frenzy this offseason. Nashville general manager Barry Trotz landed two-time Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos, 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Marchessault and the highest-paid left defenseman on the market in Brady Skjei, in addition to re-signing Jusse Saros.
Dec. 28 vs. Edmonton Oilers
As if this grudge match needed any more animosity or contempt bred through familiarity, the Kings and Oilers executed a de facto swap of forwards. On Monday, the ink was barely dry on Viktor Arvidsson’s new contract with Edmonton when Warren Foegele confirmed his decision to sign with the Kings. The Oilers have eliminated the Kings in three consecutive postseasons, and last year they advanced to within one win of the Stanley Cup.
Jan. 20 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
A visit from the Penguins is almost like the Rolling Stones coming to town, with aging stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang playing the roles of Mick, Keith, Ronnie and Charlie. This year, they’ll have a special guest, former Kings center Blake Lizotte, who signed a two-year pact with the Pens on Monday. He should be sure to have a video-tribute ovation for the ages.
March 13 vs. Washington Capitals
Less flattering will be the reaction to Pierre-Luc Dubois’s moment on the Jumbotron when he returns to Southern California as a member of the Capitals. The marquee acquisition’s faceplant and subsequent pennies-on-the-dollar trade a year later were major setbacks for the Kings. Accompanying Dubois will be former Kings defenseman Matt Roy, who signed a six-year deal with Washington on Monday, and, of course, Caps captain Alex Ovechkin, who will enter the season trailing Wayne Gretzky’s record for career goals by just 41.
April 3 at Utah HC
While it may not have been the best-executed move in the history of third-rate circuses, let alone pro sports franchises, the artists formerly known as the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes and Arizona Coyotes are now Utah HC. The Kings are familiar with Salt Lake City from previous Frozen Fury preseason events, but this will mark their first trip for a regular-season NHL game in Utah. Fan road trip potential abounds for this one.
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KINGS 2024-25 SCHEDULE
Oct. 10 at Buffalo, 4 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Boston, 10 a.m.
Oct. 14 at Ottawa, 10 a.m.
Oct. 16 at Toronto, 4:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 at Montreal, 4 p.m.
Oct. 20 at Ducks, 5 p.m.
Oct. 22 at Vegas, 8 p.m.
Oct. 24 vs. San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 vs. Utah, 1 p.m.
Oct. 29 at San Jose, 7 p.m.
Oct. 30 vs. Vegas, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 vs. Chicago, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4 at Nashville, 5 p.m.
Nov. 5 at Minnesota, 5 p.m.
Nov. 7 vs. Vancouver, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 vs. Columbus, 6 p.m.
Nov. 11 at Calgary, 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 at Colorado, 7 p.m.
Nov. 16 vs. Detroit, 5 p.m.
Nov. 20 vs. Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 23 vs. Seattle, 1 p.m.
Nov. 25 at San Jose, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 27 vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m.
Nov. 29 at Ducks, 12:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 vs. Ottawa, 4 p.m.
Dec. 4 vs. Dallas, 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 vs. Minnesota, 5 p.m.
Dec. 10 at New York Islanders, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 12 at New Jersey, 4 p.m.
Dec. 14 at New York Rangers, 10 a.m.
Dec. 17 at Pittsburgh, 4 p.m.
Dec. 19 at Philadelphia, 4 p.m.
Dec. 21 at Nashville, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 22 at Washington, 2 p.m.
Dec. 28 vs. Edmonton, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29 vs. Philadelphia, 6 p.m.
Jan. 1 vs. New Jersey, 3 p.m.
Jan. 4 vs. Tampa Bay, 6 p.m.
Jan. 8 vs. Calgary, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 at Winnipeg, 5 p.m.
Jan. 11 at Calgary, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 at Edmonton, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 at Seattle, 7 p.m.
Jan. 20 vs. Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 22 vs. Florida, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25 at Columbus, 4 p.m.
Jan. 27 at Detroit, 4 p.m.
Jan. 29 at Florida, 4 p.m.
Jan. 30 at Tampa Bay, 4 p.m.
Feb. 1 at Carolina, 4 p.m.
Feb. 5 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 7 vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 vs. Ducks, 7 p.m.
Feb. 22 vs. Utah, 6 p.m.
Feb. 24 vs. Vegas, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 vs. Vancouver, 7 p.m.
Feb. 28 at Dallas, 5 p.m.
March 1 at St. Louis, 5 p.m.
March 3 at Chicago, 5:30 p.m.
March 5 vs. St. Louis, 7:30 p.m.
March 8 vs. St. Louis, 5 p.m.
March 9 at Vegas, 5 p.m.
March 11 vs. New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m.
March 13 vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.
March 15 vs. Nashville, 5 p.m.
March 17 at Minnesota, 5 p.m.
March 20 at Chicago, 5:30 p.m.
March 22 vs. Carolina, 1 p.m.
March 23 vs. Boston, 6 p.m.
March 25 vs. New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m.
March 27 at Colorado, 6 p.m.
March 29 vs. Toronto, 4 p.m.
March 30 vs. San Jose, 6 p.m.
April 1 vs. Winnipeg, 7:30 p.m.
April 3 at Utah, 6 p.m.
April 5 vs. Edmonton, 1 p.m.
April 7 vs. Seattle, 7:30 p.m.
April 10 vs. Ducks, 7:30 p.m.
April 12 vs. Colorado, 1 p.m.
April 14 at Edmonton, 7 p.m.
April 15 at Seattle, 7:30 p.m.