18 October, 2025
kings-seek-turnaround-against-undefeated-hurricanes-on-saturday

After a challenging start to the season, the Los Angeles Kings are preparing to face the undefeated Carolina Hurricanes on October 21, 2023, at the Crypto.com Arena. The Kings currently hold a record of 1-3-1, with their only victory coming against the Vegas Golden Knights. In contrast, the Hurricanes are the NHL’s only remaining unbeaten team, boasting a record of 4-0-0 and leading the league with a +11 goal differential.

The Kings’ most recent game ended in a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where center Phillip Danault expressed disappointment, stating, “we could have buried many more than two, that’s for sure.” During this match, the Kings initially took a 2-0 lead but faltered, allowing four unanswered goals. The absence of key players, including team captain Anže Kopitar (foot injury) and goalie Darcy Kuemper (lower body injury), has further complicated the Kings’ efforts. Kopitar has been downgraded to “week-to-week,” while Kuemper’s status for Saturday remains questionable.

In addition to personnel challenges, the Kings have struggled with penalties, leading the league with a total of 24 short-handed situations. Their performance on special teams has been particularly concerning, as they allowed goals both while up and down a man against Pittsburgh. Head coach Jim Hiller acknowledged the team’s difficulties, saying, “We’re in a hole, and we’re in a funk, there’s no question.”

Despite these setbacks, Hiller noted some positive developments, highlighting Warren Foegele, who scored the opening goal against the Penguins, as well as Alex Laferriere, who both displayed strong performances. The defensive pairing of Drew Doughty and Brian Dumoulin also stood out, while Cody Ceci recorded his first point for the Kings with a secondary assist on Foegele’s goal.

As the Kings prepare for their match against Carolina, they must address their issues on the penalty kill. Currently, they rank among the bottom five teams in penalty-kill percentage and are tied for the sixth-most goals allowed per game. Winger Trevor Moore remains optimistic, asserting, “We’ve shown that we can have really good periods and then, for whatever reason, it just gets away from us.” He emphasized the importance of staying confident and focused, reminding fans and players alike that there is still time to turn the season around.

The Kings’ early-season schedule has drawn mixed reviews, as they face teams like the Penguins, a non-playoff team from last season, while the Minnesota Wild have also struggled. In stark contrast, the Hurricanes not only maintain their undefeated status but also lead the league in goal differential. With an opportunity to gain momentum against a top-tier opponent, the Kings will need to deliver a strong performance on Saturday.

Kickoff for the match is set for 18:00 local time. As the Kings look to reclaim their footing, the showdown against the Hurricanes will be a crucial test of their resilience and ability to compete in the highly competitive NHL landscape.