The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to play against the Los Angeles Kings tonight at 10 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena.
The Los Angeles Kings currently hold a record of 15-10-9 with 42 points and have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 games, ranking 4th in the Atlantic Division. Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a 14-15-6 record, earning 34 points, with a 3-6-1 performance in their last 10 games, sitting 8th in the Metropolitan Division.
Key stats for the Blue Jackets include an 18.8% power play (18th in the NHL), a penalty kill rate of 72.9% (last in the NHL), 101 goals scored (20th), and 123 goals conceded (31st). The Kings, on the other hand, have a 14.6% power play (30th), a penalty kill of 79.8% (20th), 87 goals scored (last), and 85 goals against (2nd).
In their series history, Columbus has 28 wins and 33 losses overall against the Kings, with a 10-22 road record versus LA. The home team has dominated recent matches with a 6-0-2 record in the last eight games. Last season, the Blue Jackets split the series 1-1 with the Kings and successfully killed 20 of LA’s last 23 power plays.
Players to watch for the Kings include Adrian Kempe, who leads in goals (13), assists (17), and points (30). Goalie Darcy Kuemper has a record of 10-6-6 with a .917 save percentage, last starting on December 15. Former Blue Jackets goalie Anton Forsberg stands at 5-4-3 with a .901 save percentage, last starting on December 18.
For Columbus, Zach Werenski has recorded seven points in 14 games against the Kings, Boone Jenner has six points in his past 17 games versus LA, and Charlie Coyle has 16 points in 31 games.
Injuries affecting the Blue Jackets include Erik Gudbranson (upper body, out for 27 games, no return date), Mathieu Olivier (upper body, out for 12 games, skating but no return planned), and Miles Wood (unknown injury, missed one game). The team has missed a total of 70 man-games.
Fans can watch tonight’s game on FanDuel Sports Network with Bob Wishusen providing live coverage, and the radio broadcast will air on 97.1 Fan with Bob McElligott on commentary.
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Fan Take: This matchup highlights the challenges both teams face with their special teams and defensive struggles. Hockey fans should watch closely as this game could be a turning point for Columbus to improve their defensive play or for the Kings to break out of their offensive slump, impacting playoff positioning significantly.
