The Los Angeles Kings travel to Las Vegas for a Pacific Division matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, with the Kings looking to bounce back from a 4-2 loss to Seattle and capitalize on Vegas’ extensive injury list. The Golden Knights, despite a 3-5-2 record in their last 10, remain a powerhouse at home with a nine-game winning streak at T-Mobile Arena, but the absence of key forwards like William Karlsson and Brett Howden could open the door for the Kings’ balanced attack (3.12 GPG, 14th in NHL). This game features a clash of styles: Vegas’ elite power play (24.8%, fifth) against Florida’s penalty kill (80.2%, 18th), potentially leading to a low-scoring affair amid both teams’ defensive focus. With the Olympic break looming, expect intensity as Vegas aims to maintain their division lead while LA fights for a wild-card spot.
Venue Location
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT).
Injury Report
The Golden Knights are severely depleted, missing several forwards and defensemen, which could hinder their depth against a healthier Kings squad. Los Angeles is managing a few absences but has core players available.
Los Angeles Kings:
Out: Artemi Panarin (LW, Not Injury Related – Expected return Feb. 25), Alex Turcotte (C, Upper Body – IR, Expected return Feb. 25).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: Mikey Anderson (D, Upper Body).
Vegas Golden Knights:
Out: William Karlsson (C, Lower Body – Week-to-Week), Brett Howden (C, Lower Body – Week-to-Week), Brayden McNabb (D, Upper Body), Brandon Saad (LW, Undisclosed), Carter Hart (G, Leg), Colton Sissons (C, Upper Body), Jonas Rondbjerg (RW, Undisclosed).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: None reported.
Key Player Matchups
Injuries force adjustments, with Vegas relying on secondary scoring and Florida leaning on their top line. Projected starters: Kings – Fiala-Johansen-Kempe; Knights – Kucherov-Stamkos-Hagel. Goaltending favors Tampa’s Vasilevskiy despite recent dips.
Adrian Kempe (LAK, RW) vs. Nikita Kucherov (VGK, RW): Kempe (speedy finisher, recent multi-goal games) exploits edges; Kucherov (assist leader, 1.1 PPG) orchestrates from the wing—power-play efficiency key.
Anze Kopitar (LAK, C) vs. Steven Stamkos (VGK, C): Kopitar (two-way vet, faceoff ace) shuts down lines; Stamkos (scoring threat, 20+ goals) thrives at home.
Darcy Kuemper (LAK, G) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (VGK, G): Kuemper (.900 SV% recently) faces Tampa’s shots (31.2 SPG); Vasilevskiy (.912 SV%) anchors despite team injuries.
Other Notes: Quinton Byfield (LAK) steps up vs. Victor Hedman (VGK D)—Byfield’s size challenges Hedman’s coverage; Pavel Dorofeyev (VGK) fills gaps without Karlsson.
Recent Team Forms
Los Angeles Kings (4-2-4 in last 10 games): Averaging 2.4 GPG while allowing 2.7. They’ve gone 4-2-4, with a 1L streak: L 2-4 vs SEA (Feb 4), L 2-3 at CAR, W 3-1 at DET, L 1-4 at BUF, W 5-4 at STL, W 3-2 at NSH, L 3-4 OT at EDM, W 4-3 at CGY, L 2-5 at DAL, W 5-4 OT at PHI. Road form: 5-2-3 in last 10 away, but 1-3 in last four.
Vegas Golden Knights (3-5-2 in last 10 games): Averaging 3.4 GPG while allowing 3.3. They’ve gone 3-5-2, with a 1W streak: W 5-2 vs VAN (Feb 4), L 3-4 at ANA, L 2-3 vs SEA, L 4-5 vs DAL, L 2-3 OT at MTL, L 1-7 at OTT, W 6-3 at TOR, L 3-4 at BOS, W 7-1 vs PHI, W 7-2 vs NSH. Home form: 5-3-2 in last 10 home, with a 9-game win streak snapped recently.
Series History
The Golden Knights lead the all-time regular season series 19-16-3, with a 4-0 playoff edge (2018 First Round sweep). In recent meetings, Vegas is 23-18-1 overall, but Florida has won the last two: 2-1 on March 3, 2025, and 4-1 on Jan. 11, 2026. At T-Mobile Arena, Vegas is 16-14 vs. Kings. Games average 5.8 total goals, with under hitting in 4/6 recent head-to-heads; largest win: Kings 6-2 on Oct. 15, 2021.
Betting Trends
Spread (ATS): Golden Knights 18-36 ATS overall, but 7-4-2-3 at home; Kings 19-34 ATS, 17-12 on road as underdogs.
Over/Under: Over has hit in 5 of Kings’ last 10 (50%) and 6 of Golden Knights’ last 10 (60%); series averages 5.8 GPG, but recent trends under in 4/6 head-to-heads.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Kings 5.5
Vegas Golden Knights – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 4, 2026
