2024-25 Regular Season, Game 69 Preview: Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings

The Carolina Hurricanes began their California trip by knocking off the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. The Canes conceded a weird short-handed goal late in the first period. Brent Burns tripped William Eklund on a 2-on-1, sending him into Frederik Andersen while the puck crossed the goal line without Andersen being able to do anything. They would get it back in the second period after excellent pressure from the top line kept the puck in the zone and forced the Sharks to turn it over. Seth Jarvis was on the spot to roof a shot from the slot past Georgi Romanov to tie the game. The top line struck again early in the third period to give the Canes their first lead. Jackson Blake's work below the goal line allowed him to find Sebastian Aho alone above the dots for a one-time bomb. Late in the game, Sean Walker provided the insurance goal, scoring after more great work from Taylor Hall. The cherry on top was a great late-game penalty kill as the Canes held on for a 3-1 victory. Andersen made 24 stops to lead the group to its eighth straight triumph.

The Opponent: Los Angeles Kings (37-21-9, 83 Points- 3rd in the Pacific Division)

Last Meeting: The Kings visited Raleigh to begin February and left with a 4-2 victory. Jesperi Kotkaniemi opened the scoring late in the first period, but Philip Danault a few minutes later to knot the game. The Kings won this one in the second period. Trevor Moore struck 63 seconds into the period, and Kevin Fiala added another in the final few minutes to give the Kings a two-goal advantage. Eric Robinson pulled the Canes within a goal early in the third, but Fiala's second goal of the game restored Los Angeles' multi-goal advantage. Darcy Kuemper stopped 26 shots as he backstopped the Kings to a rare visitor's victory at the Lenovo Center. 

Since We Last Met: Their trip to Raleigh helped the Kings turn a new leaf. Since February 2nd, the Kings have the best record in the Pacific Division and the fourth best in the Western Conference at 10-4-3. Their win over the Canes began a stretch of five wins in six games. It was followed by a five-game losing streak that has since turned into wins in six of their last seven. The rollercoaster ride has them with a better points percentage than the Oilers. The Kings won't usually run you out of the building offensively, ranking 22nd in goals per game this season. What they'll do is make you so frustrated defensively before capitalizing on the smallest mistakes you make. They trail only the Jets for the fewest goals allowed in the league, surrendering just over 2.50 goals per contest. Darcy Kuemper is third in save percentage (.918) and second in GAA (2.13). The usual faces pace the offense. Adrian Kempe has 55 points and is on the verge of another 30-goal campaign. Anze Kopitar is still one of the best two-way forwards in the league. Quinton Byfield is coming into his own, having a six-game goal streak snapped earlier in the week. Former Hurricane Warren Foegele is likely to break his career highs in goals and points. They have all of the pieces to be a nuisance in the postseason, where they'll likely meet the Oilers, again.

Stories of the Night

1. The Kings at Home

With less than a month remaining in the season, the Los Angeles Kings have played the fewest home games of any team in the NHL. They've only played 30 games at home this season, yet own the best points percentage at 23-3-4 and have points in 12 straight home contests (9-0-3). Better yet, they'll spend most of their remaining schedule at home, with ten more home games over their final 14 after today's game. For as good as the Canes are in Raleigh, the Kings might have them beaten. This is not going to be an easy afternoon for the visitors.

2. Underperforming Power Plays Square Off

With as much firepower as each team possesses, their power plays have been abysmal this season. For the Kings, it makes a little sense. They aren't a major scoring threat on a consistent basis. However, with Kempe, Fiala, Kopitar, and more on the man advantage, this team is far better than what their conversion percentage dictates. The Canes' struggles have been well-documented as we enter the end of March. It is the final piece of the puzzle that makes the Canes one of the most complete teams in the NHL. I don't think this game will come down to the power plays, but winning that battle could help the Canes knock off the Kings in LA.