The Los Angeles Kings (12-7-7, 31 points, 3rd in Pacific Division) host the Chicago Blackhawks (11-9-6, 28 points, 6th in Central Division) at Crypto.com Arena in a Western Conference clash that could ignite playoff positioning for both squads. The Kings, reeling from a 3-1 home loss to Washington that snapped a mini-resurgence, desperately need a bounce-back against a Blackhawks team that’s scrappy on the road (6-4-2 away) but vulnerable after a shootout heartbreaker in Vegas. Chicago’s youthful core, led by Connor Bedard’s Calder trajectory, faces a Kings blue line potentially bolstered by Drew Doughty’s return, but LA’s penalty kill (84.44%, 5th in NHL) could stifle the Hawks’ opportunistic power play. Models project a 3-2 Kings win (64.9% probability), but Chicago’s recent cover trends as underdogs add upset spice to this low-event grinder—expect Darcy Kuemper’s wall vs. Petr Mrazek’s rebounding in a battle where home ice tips the scales.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California (Capacity: 18,230; Home of the Kings since 1999, rebranded in 2021, known for its vibrant Hollywood crowd and fast ice that favors LA’s cycle game; Kings are 3-5-3 at home this season).
Puckdrop: 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT for local fans).
Broadcast: ESPN+ (streaming); Local via Bally Sports West (Kings) and NBC Sports Chicago (Blackhawks).
Team Records and Standings Snapshot
| Team | Record | Points | GF/GA | Home/Away | Power Play/PK | Recent Notes |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 11-9-6 | 28 | 72/75 (-3) | 5-5-4 Home / 6-4-2 Away | 19.5% / 80.5% | Road pests (6-4-2, +5 GD); Bedard fuels 2.77 GPG (19th), but 2.88 GAA (15th) hides defensive youth. |
| Los Angeles Kings | 12-7-7 | 31 | 76/68 (+8) | 3-5-3 Home / 9-2-4 Away | 18.2% / 84.4% | Road juggernauts (9-2-4, +15 GD); elite PK (5th) props up 2.92 GPG (16th) and 2.62 GAA (8th). |
The Blackhawks sit three points behind Central wild-card leaders like Dallas (14-8-4); the Kings hold a Pacific wild-card spot but trail Vegas (12-6-8) by one, using home desperation to avoid a slide.
Recent Team Forms
Chicago’s road grit shines in close games, while LA’s home inconsistencies stem from power-play droughts. Last five games (late November/early December 2025):
Chicago Blackhawks (2-3-0 in last 5; 3.0 GPG / 3.6 GAA):
Dec. 2: L 4-3 (SO) @ Vegas Golden Knights (Away; Bedard scores in loss; Bowman ties late but shootout falters).
Nov. 29: W 3-2 vs. Anaheim Ducks (Home; Reichel’s GWG; Mrazek 28 saves).
Nov. 26: L 4-3 (OT) vs. Minnesota Wild (Home; Boldy hat trick sinks rally).
Nov. 23: W 5-3 @ Edmonton Oilers (Away; Mikheyev’s 2G on road win).
Nov. 21: L 2-1 vs. New Jersey Devils (Home; Offense stifled to 19 SOG).
Trend: Blackhawks 2-3 SU in last five, outscored 17-16. 2-1 on road recently with .910 SV%; PP at 25% in wins, but 3rd-period GA (7 in losses) exposes inexperience.
Los Angeles Kings (2-3-0 in last 5; 2.4 GPG / 3.0 GAA):
Dec. 2: L 3-1 vs. Washington Capitals (Home; Kempe’s goal lone response; Kuemper pulled after 2 GA).
Nov. 29: W 2-1 (OT) vs. Vancouver Canucks (Home; Laferriere’s OT winner extends streak briefly).
Nov. 26: W 3-0 vs. Winnipeg Jets (Home; Kuemper’s shutout; Byfield’s 2A).
Nov. 23: L 4-2 @ Dallas Stars (Away; Defense allows 3 GA in 2nd).
Nov. 21: L 5-3 vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Home; PP 0/4 in skid starter).
Trend: Kings 2-3 SU in last five, outscored 13-11. 2-1 at home but 0-2 in last two there; PK perfect in wins (5/5), but offense dips to 1.8 GPG in losses.
Injury Report
Injuries test LA’s depth on defense, while Chicago’s crease is stabilizing post-surgery. Updates as of Dec. 3:
Chicago Blackhawks:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Laurent Brossoit | G | Hip (Post-Surgery) | IR (Conditioning Loan to AHL) | Dec. 10, 2025 |
| Nick Foligno | LW | Hand | IR (Retroactive to Nov. 15) | Dec. 13, 2025 |
| Shea Weber | D | Ankle | IR (Long-Term) | Season (Out) |
Impact: Brossoit’s absence elevates Mrazek (9-7-4, .905 SV%); Foligno’s grit void (8P in 16G) burdens bottom-six, with Weber’s shutdown gone forcing Vlasic to 22+ min.
Los Angeles Kings:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Est. Return |
| Drew Doughty | D | Lower Body | Day-to-Day (Full Practice) | Dec. 4 (Hopeful) |
| Warren Foegele | LW | Upper Body | Day-to-Day | Dec. 4 (Hopeful) |
Impact: Doughty’s return (12A in 15G pre-injury) would stabilize pairs (+10 rating); Foegele’s absence (5G) dips 3rd-line scoring, but LA’s depth holds with Byfield stepping up.
Key Player Matchups
Youth vs. experience defines this tilt—watch these headliners:
Connor Bedard (Blackhawks C, 12G-14A) vs. Anze Kopitar (Kings C, 8G-15A): Bedard’s wizardry (3.2 SOG/G) tests Kopitar’s faceoff mastery (55% win rate). Edge: Kopitar—two-way anchor; 2A vs. CHI this year.
Adrian Kempe (Kings RW, 11G-10A) vs. Seth Jones (Blackhawks D, +4, 1.8 Bks/G): Kempe’s speed (3.1 SOG/G) exploits Jones’ mobility post-injury. Edge: Kempe—back-to-back goals; 45% pt chance.
Petr Mrazek (Blackhawks G, .905 SV%, 2.88 GAA) vs. Darcy Kuemper (Kings G, .915 SV%, 2.62 GAA): Mrazek’s road poise (.910 SV% away) vs. Kuemper’s home edge (7-3-2, .920 SV%). Edge: Kuemper—shutout vs. WPG; faces 23 SOG projection.
Quinton Byfield (Kings C, 7G-9A) vs. Philipp Kurashev (Blackhawks C, 6G-8A): Byfield’s breakout (0.4 G/G) meets Kurashev’s setup (12A). Edge: Even—Byfield’s physicality vs. Kurashev’s PP role.
Series History
The Kings hold a slight modern edge in this storied rivalry, dominating recent low-scoring affairs:
All-Time Regular Season: Kings 103-110-17 (48.5% win rate); Blackhawks lead 724-690 in goals across 230 meetings.
All-Time Overall (incl. Playoffs): Kings trail 103-110-17-3; Kings won 2013-14 ECF (4-1) en route to Cup.
Last 10 Meetings: Kings 7-1-2 (most recent: LA 3-1 win on Oct. 26, 2025, at CHI). Kings 4-1 SU in last 5 home vs. CHI.
Trends: Kings 7-3 SU in last 10 vs. Central; Games average 5.5 goals (Under in 6/10). Blackhawks 3-7 SU in last 10 road vs. Pacific.
Betting
Blackhawks 5-5 ATS as road dogs; Kings 4-6 O/U at home.
Game Odds
Chicago Blackhawks 5.5
Los Angeles Kings – 205
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 3, 2025
