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NHL Season Opener: Los Angeles Kings Face Colorado Avalanche at Crypto.com Arena
Exciting Matchup Set for Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
The NHL regular season kicks off with the Los Angeles Kings taking on the Colorado Avalanche at the Crypto.com Arena. The opening game, part of the NHL’s season-opening tripleheader, sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season. Both teams are eager to make a strong start, and fans can look forward to an exciting showdown in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Kings’ Lineup and Strategies
The Kings have confirmed a 22-player roster for the opening night. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who boasts a stellar career-best 2.00 goals-against average from last season, is expected to be in goal against his former team. Key forwards such as Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe, and Alex Laferriere are poised to lead the offensive charge.
| Kings Forward Lines |
|---|
| Kuzmenko – Kopitar – Kempe |
| Fiala – Byfield – Laferriere |
| Foegele – Danault – Moore |
| Malott – Turcotte – Armia |
With Corey Perry and Kyle Burroughs on the injured reserve, the team looks to start strong with the available lineup.
Colorado Avalanche: Player Highlights and Expected Lineup
Colorado’s lineup is highlighted by the return of captain Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn’t played a regular-season game since March 2022. After a recovery that sidelined him for two whole seasons, Landeskog aims to make an impact starting with this opener.
| Avalanche Forward Lines |
|---|
| Lehkonen – MacKinnon – Necas |
| Landeskog – Nelson – Nichushkin |
| Colton – Drury – Olofsson |
| Kelly – Bardakov – Kiviranta/Brindley |
With a fast-paced team known as one of the league’s quickest, the Avalanche are set to challenge the Kings right out of the gate.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Alex Laferriere is anticipated to play after recovering from a preseason injury, following assurance from Head Coach Jim Hiller regarding his condition.
- Drew Doughty, after an ankle injury last season, is ready and excited to show his capabilities this year.
- This season marks the final NHL campaign for Anze Kopitar, who aims to continue his strong track record in season openers.
The season starts with the Kings aiming to leverage last season’s strengths and confidence to forge ahead, while the Avalanche aim to bounce back strong after last season’s early playoff exit. Both teams are set to deliver a thrilling opening game, fueling hopes for a promising 2025-2026 NHL season.
