The Los Angeles Kings face off against the Winnipeg Jets in a cross-conference matchup as the Kings begin a brief Western Canada road trip. With the Kings holding a stronger position in the Pacific Division and the Jets mired in a historic slump at the bottom of the Central Division, this game presents an opportunity for Winnipeg to snap their skid on home ice against a short-handed opponent.
Venue Location
Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT).
Recent Team Forms
The Kings have been inconsistent lately, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, averaging 2.9 goals scored and 2.9 allowed per game.
They are coming off a 4-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks on January 7, but prior to that secured a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on January 5.
On the road, the Kings have been solid at 8-13 overall, but they’ve won two of their last three games despite injury issues.
The Jets are in freefall, posting an 0-7-3 record in their last 10 games with a -12 goal differential.
They are on a franchise-record 11-game losing streak (0-8-3), most recently falling 4-3 in overtime to the Vegas Golden Knights and then losing to the Edmonton Oilers on January 8.
At home, the Jets are 8-10, but they’ve struggled with shot volume and finishing, averaging just 2.3 goals per game in their last 10 while allowing 3.5.
Eleven of their recent losses have been one-goal games, showing competitiveness but an inability to close.
Injury Report
Los Angeles Kings:
Anze Kopitar (C): Day-to-day (undisclosed, injured January 5 vs. Minnesota).
Joel Armia (RW): Day-to-day (undisclosed, injured January 5 vs. Minnesota).
Corey Perry (RW): IR, non-roster (undisclosed, missed January 7 vs. San Jose).
Trevor Moore (LW): IR (upper body, out until at least January 12).
These absences thin out the Kings’ forward group, potentially impacting puck possession and top-line production.
Winnipeg Jets:
Haydn Fleury (D): IR (broken nose, bruised back; injured January 6 vs. Vegas, released from hospital but out indefinitely).
No other major injuries reported, though the team has been without key goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for stretches earlier in the season.
Player Matchups to Watch
This game features intriguing battles between offensive stars and defensive units, especially with the Kings potentially missing Kopitar, who often anchors matchups against top lines.
Kevin Fiala (Kings LW) vs. Mark Scheifele (Jets C): Fiala leads the Kings with 9 points (5G, 4A) in the last 10 games and is a shot-volume machine (3.3 shots/game).
He’ll face Scheifele, who has 0.47 goals/game projected and anchors Winnipeg’s top line amid their slump.
Expect Fiala to test Jets goaltending early.
Adrian Kempe (Kings RW) vs. Kyle Connor (Jets LW): Kempe brings speed and a 0.49 goals/game rate, with a 46% chance of a point.
Connor, Winnipeg’s top shooter (3.2 shots/game, 98th percentile league-wide), has 3+ shots in 7 of his last 10 and a 50% point probability.
Without Kopitar, the Kings’ defense may struggle to contain Connor’s line.
Alex Laferriere (Kings RW) vs. Cole Perfetti (Jets RW): Laferriere has 7 points (4G, 3A) in the last 10, providing secondary scoring.
Perfetti, with a 55.6% Corsi For and 2+ shots in 9 of 14 games, could exploit LA’s injuries for shot opportunities.
Goaltending: Darcy Kuemper (Kings) is projected at 24 saves with a 2.51 GAA career, facing Eric Comrie (Jets), who is 6-9-1 with a 3.49 GAA this season (Hellebuyck likely rests after January 8).
Series History
The Kings and Jets have met 49 times all-time, with the Kings holding a slight edge at 25-23-1.
In the last 5 meetings, Los Angeles is 4-1-0, including a 3-0 shutout win on November 4, 2025, and a 3-1 victory on January 10, 2025.
The Kings have won three straight in Winnipeg, outscoring the Jets 10-4 in those games.
Overall, games tend to be low-scoring, with the under hitting in 4 of the last 5.
Betting Trends
Kings games have gone over 5.5 goals in 20 of 42 contests this season.
Jets are 3-2 in their last 5 overall but 2-3 ATS, and 9-13 ATS at home.
Kings are 8-13 on the moneyline away but have covered in 4 of their last 6 as favorites.
The Jets have seen the under hit in 7 of their last 10 home games, but recent blowouts suggest potential for overs.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Kings – 130
Winnipeg Jets 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 8, 2026
