Puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
The struggling Kings visit a Rangers team that remains undefeated at home (6-0-0) this season. New York looks to extend its strong start on home ice, while Los Angeles seeks consistency after an uneven beginning to the campaign. Artemi Panarin returns to MSG for the first time since leaving the Rangers.
Injury Reports
Los Angeles Kings:
Kevin Fiala (lower leg) — Out
Quinton Byfield (upper body) — Day-to-day
Alex Turcotte (undisclosed) — Out
Jakub Dvorak (upper body) — Out
Jan Jenik (undisclosed) — Out
Additional depth players have been sidelined at times.
New York Rangers:
Igor Shesterkin (lower body/knee) — Out for the season
Joonas Korpisalo (lower body/foot) — Out
Joseph Veleno (lower body) — Out
Adam Sykora (lower body) — Out
Aidan Thompson (undisclosed) — Out
Dylan Garand has taken on a larger role in net.
Both teams are dealing with notable absences, particularly in goal for the Rangers and secondary scoring/forward depth for the Kings.
Current Player Rosters
Los Angeles Kings: Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe, Alex Laferriere, Trevor Moore, Scott Laughton, Brandt Clarke, Drew Doughty, Mikey Anderson, Darcy Kuemper (primary starter), Anton Forsberg, and supporting forwards/defensemen including Erik Haula, Mats Zuccarello, and Joel Edmundson.
New York Rangers: Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafrenière, J.T. Miller, Adam Fox, Will Cuylle, Pavel Dorofeyev, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Gabe Perreault, Vladislav Gavrikov, Dylan Garand (likely starter), and depth pieces such as Tye Kartye and Braden Schneider.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Artemi Panarin vs. Rangers defense / Adam Fox: Panarin’s first return to MSG adds storyline weight. His playmaking and scoring against Fox’s elite two-way game and the Rangers’ structured home defense will be pivotal.
Adrian Kempe / Alex Laferriere vs. Mika Zibanejad / Alexis Lafrenière lines: Top-six scoring battles. Kempe’s speed and finishing against New York’s skill forwards.
Brandt Clarke / Drew Doughty vs. Rangers’ attack: Kings’ blueline mobility and experience against New York’s cycle and power-play threats led by Fox.
Goaltending: Darcy Kuemper vs. Dylan Garand: Both netminders have carried heavy loads early. Garand has stepped up effectively in Shesterkin’s absence; Kuemper seeks more consistency for a Kings team allowing goals at a high rate.
Special teams: Rangers boast one of the league’s best penalty kills early; Kings have struggled on the PK.
Recent Team Forms
Kings (2-5-2): Inconsistent offense (low goals-per-game ranking) and defensive issues. Recent results include a loss to New Jersey and an OT win over the Islanders. They have been held to one goal in multiple games.
Rangers (7-5-1): Perfect at home (6-0-0) with strong goal differentials at MSG, but recent road struggles (allowed high totals in Canada). Adam Fox has been a points machine; the team has shown offensive firepower at home.
New York holds clear home-ice momentum.
Series History
First meeting of the 2026-27 season. Recent head-to-head has been competitive, with the Kings taking some prior matchups (including a March 2026 win at MSG). Overall series history features back-and-forth results typical of cross-conference play.
Betting Trends
Home favorites with strong special teams and goaltending depth (relative to opponents) have performed well early in the season.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Kings 5.5
New York Rangers – 132
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, October 25, 2026
