Kings Seek to Halt Slide in Freeway Faceoff with Ducks
LOS ANGELES, January 16, 2026 – Mired in a three-game home losing streak, the Los Angeles Kings (19-16-11, 49 points) host the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, a game that extended their current winless run to four games (0-2-2). Despite the slump, Los Angeles holds the second Western Conference Wild Card spot, but their grip is tenuous as they navigate significant injuries and inconsistent play.
Late Push Falls Short Against Vegas
Defenseman Brandt Clarke scored with just 1:27 remaining in regulation to force overtime against the Golden Knights, salvaging a critical standings point. Winger Kevin Fiala also contributed a goal and an assist in the losing effort. The story of the game, and the recent skid, has been the play of goaltender Darcy Kuemper. The 35-year-old netminder has lost four consecutive starts, allowing 14 goals on 88 shots for an .841 save percentage during that span. Kuemper is confirmed to start again on Friday against Anaheim.
Key Facts & Team Status
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Record & Standing | 19-16-11, 49 PTS. 5th in Pacific Division, 9th in West (2nd Wild Card). |
| Recent Form | 0-2-2 in last 4 games. 4-4-2 in last 10 games. |
| Team Offense | 2.54 Goals/Game (29th in NHL) |
| Team Defense | 2.68 Goals Against/Game (4th in NHL) |
| Injury Report | Anze Kopitar (C, lower body, IR), Trevor Moore (LW, upper body, IR), Corey Perry (RW, personal, day-to-day). Joel Armia (RW, upper body) expected to return Friday. |
| Next Game | vs. Anaheim Ducks, Fri., Jan. 16, 10:30 PM PT at Crypto.com Arena. |
Playoff Picture and Upcoming Schedule
Analytics site HockeyStats.com gives the Kings a 72% chance of making the playoffs, projecting them to finish with 91 points. Their strength remains team defense, ranked 4th in the league, but their anemic offense (29th) and struggling power play (27th) are major concerns. Following the home-and-home set with Anaheim, the Kings will host the New York Rangers on Tuesday before embarking on a three-game road trip through St. Louis, Columbus, and Detroit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is starting in goal for the Kings against Anaheim?
Darcy Kuemper is confirmed as the starting goaltender for Friday’s game against the Ducks. Coach Jim Hiller is sticking with the veteran despite his recent struggles, hoping he can regain his form against a divisional opponent.
What is the latest on the Kings’ injured players?
Captain Anze Kopitar and top-line winger Trevor Moore remain on injured reserve and are not expected back imminently. Veteran Corey Perry remains away from the team for personal reasons and is considered day-to-day. Forward Joel Armia, who has missed five games with an upper-body injury, is expected to return to the lineup on Friday.
Where do the Kings stand in the playoff race?
As of January 16, the Kings hold the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference with 49 points. They are just two points ahead of the Nashville Predators (48 points) and three points ahead of the Anaheim Ducks (47 points), making every divisional game, like Friday’s, critically important.