As one of their stars nears his season debut, the Los Angeles Kings hope to improve their play on the road as another lengthy trip awaits.
The Kings begin a five-game road trip Saturday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who aim for a season-high fifth consecutive home victory.
Since Nov. 27, Los Angeles is 15-6-2, and it’s possible at some point during this road stretch that future Hall of Fame defenseman Drew Doughty will make his season debut coming off a fractured ankle in the preseason. Though it’s uncertain if Saturday will be the day, Doughty’s presence alone is a boost for the Kings, who have lost four of the last five on the road.
“He’ll have an immediate impact just coming back into the group,” Kings coach Jim Hiller said.
“It will take him some time; we’re accepting that it’s likely going to take him time to get back up to speed.”
Los Angeles dropped four of five before winning 2-1 against Florida on Wednesday. Down 1-0, Samuel Helenius and Adrian Kempe each scored third-period goals to rally the Kings for that much-needed home triumph.
“We just kept grinding,” said the Kings’ Kevin Fiala, who has four points in the last four contests. “Simplified things, and we got the job done.”
Los Angeles has certainly gotten things done against the Blue Jackets, winning four straight amid a 6-0-1 series stretch, and earning at least one point in four consecutive games at Columbus.
Kempe and Anze Kopitar each had two assists during the Kings’ 5-2 home win over Columbus on Nov. 9.
The Blue Jackets concluded a 1-2-1 trip with Thursday’s 7-4 loss at Carolina. They blew a 2-0 lead by allowing five second-period goals.
“Maybe a little bit of execution (needs to improve),” said Columbus veteran James van Riemsdyk, who has scored in two straight games and added an assist Thursday.
“Playing with really good details and structure. … Getting back to basics.”
Columbus, though, has suffered only five regulation home defeats this season, and outscored opponents 42-25 during a current 8-1-0 stretch there. That success could provide Columbus with some confidence coming off a rough road swing.
The Blue Jackets’ Kent Johnson has three goals with three assists during the last five games. Teammate Kirill Marchenko snapped a six-game goal drought with his team-leading 19th on Thursday. Marchenko has recorded 32 of his 52 total points at home this season.
Blue Jackets backup Daniil Tarasov allowed six goals Thursday while making a season-high 36 saves. Elvis Merzlikins is likely back in the Columbus net Saturday after posting a 1.77 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in his last four starts.
Darcy Kuemper has been even better for the Kings in the new year. He’s posted a 1.15 goals-against average with a .957 save percentage in seven 2025 starts. Meanwhile, fellow netminder David Rittich has allowed 16 goals while losing four of his last five starts for the Kings.
Kempe has scored a goal in four straight games and eight in the last 10. Kopitar owns eight points in his last eight games versus Columbus.
–Field Level Media
