Ryan Sikes 
The LA Kings and St. Louis Blues meet for the first time in 2021-22 after playing eight times in the modified West Division last year.
In the second leg of a back-to-back, the LA Kings (1-2-1) will turn around and try to get their first win of the road trip after falling 3-2 in overtime to the Dallas Stars on Friday. The St. Louis Blues (3-0-0) were temporarily realigned to the Honda West Division last season, and the Kings went 5-1-2 in their eight matchups.
Of course, the rumor surrounding the Blues all summer was whether they would trade the disgruntled Vladimir Tarasenko. The 29-year-old has a goal and an assist through the first three games.
One-Timers
- The probable starter in Cal Petersen is 3-1-2 in six career games against St. Louis, with a 1.67 GAA and .935 SV%.
- With Drew Doughty likely out for the foreseeable future, what does the Kings’ top-six D corps look like? For now, it appears the team has recalled Austin Strand.
- The Kings need to find secondary scoring and fast. Anze Kopitar scored his sixth goal of the year on Friday.
- Los Angeles had 45 shots on goal in the game on Friday, but they went 1-for-6 on the powerplay.
- Despite being second in the league with a 56.7 CF%, the Kings are struggling to finish.
- Blues’ forward Jordan Kyrou is off to a fast start this season. The 23-year-old has two goals and five assists in three games.
- Kings won’t see Brandon Saad at least on Saturday. We’ll see about Monday’s game.
Brandon Saad will be unavailable for Saturday's game vs. Los Angeles due to COVID protocols. https://t.co/GsKq3lblQl #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 21, 2021
Puck Drop and Broadcast Info
- Saturday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m. P.T.
- TV: Bally Sports West, Bally Sports Midwest, ESPN+
Tale of the Tape
Powerplay
LA Kings: 28.6% (10th)
Blues: 28.6% (9th)
Penalty-Kill
LAK: 62.5% (29th)
Blues: 88.9% (8th)
Faceoffs
LAK: 48.1% (21st)
Blues: 51.7% (13th)
Goals Per Game
LAK: 2.75 (18th)
Blues: 5.00 (2nd)
Goals Against Per Game
LAK: 2.50 (12th)
Blues: 2.67 (14th)
Top Scorer
LAK: Anze Kopitar – 6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points
Blues: Jordan Kyrou – 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points
LA Kings Opening Week Recap | Hockey Royalty Podcast Episode 38