LOS ANGELES –– The Kings have a modicum of momentum for the first time in a month, and might have finally found an offensive spark in a line combination to boot.
They took a pair of clashes with the Minnesota Wild, their first consecutive wins since Dec. 8. Next, they will welcome Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday for the final game of their homestand.
The second of those two victories was propelled by the line of Kevin Fiala, Andrei Kuzmenko and Alex Turcotte. Fiala was set up by his linemates for a goal and Kuzmenko improvised brilliantly to deposit what stood as the game-winner Monday.
“We can get a little bit better every game, we have a lot of chances and a lot of offensive play. I hope there’s a little bit better connection, every game it’ll get better and better and better, and we score more goals, I hope,” Kuzmenko said.
Coach Jim Hiller has been searching high and low for the right mix to give him consistent scoring as the Kings have muddled through one tight game after another. Thirty-one of their 41 games have been decided by one goal or a goal plus an empty-netter, including each of their past three matches. Of their more decisive results, they’ve won just four of 10 games.
A consistent scoring threat could create a bit more separation. Hiller remarked that the Turcotte line had been knocking on the door before tallying twice Monday.
“Since they’ve been together, they’ve been our most dangerous offensive line, they just haven’t hit the back of the net,” Hiller said. “Typically, (Fiala and Kuzmenko) are two players you don’t play together because they can complement two other lines, they’re two really creative offensive players, but they’ve been pretty magical together.”
An emergent trio would be all the more valuable and timely given their recent losses up front. The trade of Phillip Danault, the on-and-off illness of Trevor Moore and, now, injuries sustained Monday by captain Anže Kopitar and Joel Armia.
The Kings canceled practice Tuesday but issued an update indicating both players were day-to-day.
They’ll now face San Jose and Celebrini, who has 63 points from the Sharks’ 125 goals. That means he has factored into a simple majority of their scoring. On the power play, he’s been involved in an even larger proportion, 17 of 26 man-advantage markers.
The No. 1 pick in 2024, he beat out 2023’s first overall selection, Chicago’s Connor Bedard, for a spot on the Canadian Olympic team.
San Jose at Kings
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: FDSN West