Is Anze Kopitar playing tonight? That's the million-dollar question hanging over the LA Kings as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Penguins! His presence, or absence, could dramatically alter the Kings' chances. Let's dive into the latest updates, goaltending situations, and the crucial need to avoid those dreaded penalties.
WHO: Los Angeles Kings (1-2-1) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0)
WHAT: Game 5 of the 2025 Regular Season (out of 82 total)
WHEN: Thursday, October 16th @ 7:00 PM Pacific Time
WHERE: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA
HOW TO FOLLOW:
* VIDEO: FanDuel Sports Network
* AUDIO: ESPN LA 710, ESPN LA App & LA Kings App
* TWITTER: @dooleylak & @lakings
Tonight's Matchup: Back on Home Ice
The Kings return to the familiar ice of Crypto.com Arena for a brief two-game homestand, kicking things off tonight against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Can they capitalize on home advantage and turn things around?
Head-to-Head History:
Last season, Adrian Kempe proved to be a thorn in the Penguins' side, leading the Kings with two goals in their two meetings. Interestingly, Anze Kopitar assisted on both of Kempe's tallies. Kempe has an impressive record against Pittsburgh, racking up 10 goals in 14 career games. His points-per-game average against the Penguins (1.07) is the highest he boasts against any NHL team. Will Kempe continue his dominance against Pittsburgh this year?
Kings Vitals: Lineup Tweaks and Goaltending Questions
After some significant lineup shuffles in Monday's game against Minnesota, expect to see some of those changes stick for tonight's contest. But here's where it gets controversial... could we see even more adjustments based on the status of key players?
With Darcy Kuemper sidelined with a lower-body injury (listed as day-to-day), Anton Forsberg is likely to get the nod for his second start of the season. In his four career appearances against Pittsburgh, Forsberg has a 1-0-1 record, accompanied by a .908 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average. Can he build on that record tonight?
Following yesterday's full-team practice, the Kings held an optional skate today. Here's a look at the lineup from the last game, for reference:
Tonight's Projected Line Combinations:
- Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe
- Fiala – Byfield – Armia
- Foegele – Danault – Moore
Malott – Turcotte – Laferriere
Dumoulin – Doughty
Edmundson – Clarke
Anderson – Ceci
Kuemper (Likely Forsberg)
Forsberg (Likely Copley as Backup)
Kopitar's Status: A Game-Time Decision
The biggest question mark? Anze Kopitar. Both he and Kuemper are day-to-day, and their availability will heavily influence tonight's lineup. While Kuemper seems unlikely to play (especially given the potential for rotating goalies regardless), Kopitar's situation is truly up in the air. We'll have more on Kopitar below.
Penguins Vitals: On the Road Again
The Penguins are currently in the midst of a three-game California road trip. They're coming off a 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Here's how the Penguins lined up in that game:
(See tweet from Pittsburgh Penguins)
Keep an eye out for a familiar face in the Penguins' lineup: Blake Lizotte. The former Kings player, who signed as an undrafted free agent in 2018, is now in his second season with Pittsburgh and has found a solid role in their bottom six. He's already chipped in with a goal in four games this season. It's always interesting to see players face their former teams, isn't it?
Storyline of the Day: The Forsberg Factor
With Kuemper's injury, all eyes are on Anton Forsberg. This is his chance to shine and prove his worth to the Kings. But this is the part most people miss... Forsberg isn't just a backup; the Kings specifically targeted him in the offseason because they believe he can be a reliable starter when needed, especially given Kuemper's age and history of minor injuries.
"It’s tough, you never want to see that, [Kuemper is] a super important piece of this team, you saw it last year what he did,” Forsberg said, acknowledging the situation. “Obviously it’s fun to get an opportunity to play and show what I can do, hopefully being able to step up and do my thing.”
Head Coach Jim Hiller expressed confidence in Forsberg's ability to handle the pressure. "You hate to see the situation but Forsy has a lot of experience in the league…he’s gained the confidence of the team already." Forsberg already secured the team's only win of the season in Vegas, where he made 30 saves on 35 shots, including some crucial stops in the shootout. Can he repeat that performance in front of the home crowd?
3 Things To Watch For:
- Anze Kopitar's Game-Time Decision: Kopitar missed yesterday's practice and this morning's skate due to a lower-body injury. According to Coach Hiller, his status will be determined closer to game time. Should Kopitar play tonight, it could potentially be the last time he shares the ice with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in Los Angeles. This game marks the Penguins' only scheduled visit to Crypto.com Arena this season, unless the unlikely occurs and the two teams face off in the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. If Kopitar is unable to play, expect to see Samuel Helenius enter the lineup, potentially leading to further adjustments.
- The Penalty Problem: The Kings have been shorthanded more than any other team in the NHL. They've been penalized 22 times in just four games, resulting in four power-play goals against. Coach Hiller emphasized the need to reduce penalties, stating, "We’re shooting ourselves in the foot in that regard because our 5-on-5 game is strong.” This is a critical area for improvement, especially against a potent Penguins power play that ranked eighth in the league last season (25.8%).
- Pheonix Copley's Return: The Kings reacquired Pheonix Copley from Tampa Bay, and if Kuemper can't go, he'll serve as Forsberg's backup. Coach Hiller praised Copley's familiarity with the team and his positive attitude, highlighting the value of having him back in the locker room.
Kings vs. Penguins – a 7 PM faceoff in Los Angeles. Will the Kings get back to .500, and will Kopitar be on the ice? What do you think - will the Kings overcome their penalty issues, or will it cost them the game? Share your predictions in the comments below!
