{"id":474048,"date":"2025-09-13T08:00:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T12:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=474048"},"modified":"2025-09-09T15:29:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:29:53","slug":"2025-26-puck-drop-preview-los-angeles-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2025\/09\/13\/2025-26-puck-drop-preview-los-angeles-kings\/","title":{"rendered":"2025-26 Puck Drop Preview: Los Angeles Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last Word on Hockey\u2019s<\/em> Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2025-26 season! As the regular season approaches, Last Word will preview each team\u2019s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We\u2019ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we\u2019re previewing 2025-26 Los Angeles Kings season.<\/p>\n

2025-26 Los Angeles Kings<\/h2>\n

2024-25 Season Recap<\/h3>\n

The Los Angeles Kings<\/a> posted a 48-25-9 record, good for 105 points and a second-place finish in the Pacific Division. On paper, it was another successful regular season, but the team once again stumbled in the first round of the playoffs<\/a>, continuing a trend of early exits that has haunted the franchise since its last Cup run in 2014.<\/p>\n

Los Angeles scored 249 goals (14th in the NHL) while allowing just 203 against, the second-fewest in the league. That defensive structure made them one of the toughest teams to score against, but questions lingered about whether they had the offensive firepower to keep up with the West\u2019s elite in the postseason.<\/p>\n

2024-25 Season<\/h3>\n

Adrian Kempe<\/a> led the way with 35 goals and 73 points, cementing himself as the Kings\u2019 most dangerous finisher. An\u017ee Kopitar<\/a>, at age 37, continued to defy the aging curve with 67 points, while also capturing his third Lady Byng Trophy<\/a>. Kevin Fiala<\/a> added 60 points as a creative playmaker and power-play driver.<\/p>\n

The season also highlighted the development of the team\u2019s young core. Quinton Byfield<\/a> put up 54 points, nearly matching his 2023-24 production, while shouldering more responsibility in the top six. Alex Laferriere<\/a> enjoyed a breakout season, contributing 42 points and emerging as a legitimate top-six option.<\/p>\n

On defence, Drew Doughty<\/a> logged over 24 minutes per game, anchoring the blue line with steady two-way play. His partner, Mikey Anderson<\/a>, remained reliable in a shutdown role. However, beyond the top pairing, inconsistency plagued the Kings, especially after the departure of Vladislav Gavrikov<\/a>. Depth defenders struggled to handle extended minutes, exposing the team\u2019s lack of balance on the back end.<\/p>\n

Goaltending was a bright spot. Darcy Kuemper<\/a> delivered a resurgent campaign, finishing with a 31-11-7 record, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .922 save percentage, earning a nomination as a Vezina Trophy finalist. Backup David Rittich<\/a> carried a heavier load than expected, appearing in 34 games, but his .886 save percentage and 2.84 GAA underscored the need for more stability behind Kuemper.<\/p>\n

The overall picture was clear: Los Angeles remained a strong regular-season team, but until they solved their depth issues and playoff scoring woes, they would remain stuck in neutral come April.<\/p>\n

2024-25 Off-Season<\/h3>\n

The Kings\u2019 front office entered the summer determined to retool. While they didn\u2019t overhaul the core, they made targeted moves to add toughness, defensive reliability, and playoff experience.<\/p>\n

Additions<\/h4>\n