The Kings will host three home games this week, two of those being divisional battles. The Kings will see a Monday night battle the Edmonton Oilers, a Wednesday night tilt against the San Jose Sharks and will finish the week off against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday with all three games under the roof of Crypto.com Arena. Standing in the Kings way this week will be Connor McDavid, the NHL's leader in goals, assists and points, Erik Karlsson, the NHL's leading point-getting defenseman and Jack Hughes NHL hottest goalscorer.
Beginning with their 2022 postseason foe, the 21-17-3 Edmonton Oilers, the Kings and Oilers are set to face off for the second of four meetings this season. For the first time since Game 6 of the first round of the 2022 playoffs, Edmonton will be in Los Angeles where they have won five of their last six times. Currently, seven points separate the two teams as the Kings have distanced themselves a bit from the Oilers over the last 10 games, going 7-2-1 while the Oilers in their last 10 have gone 4-4-2. All eyes will be on Connor McDavid and how the Kings handle the NHL's top scorer. McDavid leads the NHL in goals (33), assists (43) and points (76). In his last 10 regular season games against the Kings, McDavid has notched 19 points (7-12=19).
The Kings will host the 12-21-8 San Jose Sharks two nights later looking to improve upon their 7-4-2 record against fellow Pacific Division opponents. Conversely, the Sharks are just 2-6-6 against the Pacific Division. The Sharks will enter Wednesday night's affair on the second half of a back-to-back, having played on Tuesday in Arizona. So far this season, the Sharks are 2-5-0 on the second half of a back-to-back. Offensively, the Sharks are led by defenseman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson leads NHL defensemen in goals (13), assists (41) and points (54). This will be third and final meeting between the teams this season.
Closing out the week will be the season's first of two matchups against the 25-12-3 New Jersey Devils. In their only trip to Los Angeles, the Devils will also be on the second half of a back-to-back. With a Friday night game in Anaheim, the Devils will enter the Saturday tilt versus the Kings with a 3-2-0 record on the second half of a back-to-back. Despite a hot start to the season, the Devils are 4-8-2 in their last 14 games. Offensively, Jack Hughes has been hottest goalscorer in the NHL with eight goals in the last five games.
Upcoming games this week:
- 1/9 vs. Edmonton Oilers @7:30
- 1/11 vs. San Jose Sharks @7:00
- 1/14 vs. New Jersey Devils @7:30
