Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Faceoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM PDT
TV: ESPN+, FDSNSC, Sportsnet
This Pacific Division matchup features a Kings team still battling for the final Western Conference wild-card spot against a Canucks squad that has been eliminated from playoff contention for weeks and is firmly in rebuild mode. Los Angeles sits with 89 points and a -21 goal differential, holding the eighth spot in the West; Vancouver has just 56 points and a league-worst positioning in the Pacific with a dismal -60+ goal differential.
Team Records & Recent Form
Kings (35-26-19, 4th Pacific / 8th West): Los Angeles has surged down the stretch, winning four straight games (including a 1-0 shutout of Edmonton on Apr 11, a 4-1 win over these same Canucks on Apr 9, a 3-2 SO victory vs. Nashville on Apr 6, and a 7-6 OT thriller vs. Toronto on Apr 4). They are approximately 6-3-1 in their last 10 and boast a strong 20-9-10 road record. The Kings average roughly 2.7 goals per game while allowing 3.0, relying on elite goaltending and defensive structure to stay in the playoff hunt.
Canucks (24-48-8, 8th Pacific): Vancouver has shown slight improvement in the final weeks but remains one of the NHL’s weakest teams, going 2-3-0 in their last five (wins in OT over Anaheim on Apr 12 and SO over San Jose on Apr 11, sandwiched around losses to the Kings and Golden Knights). They are 8-27-5 at home and score just 2.55 goals per game while allowing 3.6+, making them highly vulnerable against motivated opponents.
Injury Report
Los Angeles Kings
Kevin Fiala (LW): Out for season (leg).
Andrei Kuzmenko (LW): Out (knee) / IR (return Apr 16).
Jeff Malott (LW): Day-to-day (undisclosed) / expected out until Apr 18.
Alex Turcotte (C): Out for this game.
Vancouver Canucks
Thatcher Demko (G): Out for season (hip).
Derek Forbort (D): Out (undisclosed) / LTIR.
Evander Kane (LW): Out (upper-body).
Filip Chytil (C): Out (face).
Vancouver’s goaltending falls to backups (likely Anton Forsberg or Pheonix Copley on the opposing side for LA, but Canucks netminders have struggled). Both teams are thin up front, but the Canucks’ depleted blue line and season-long absences create major matchup disadvantages.
Key
Player Matchups to Watch
Kings’ veteran core (Anze Kopitar, Adrian Kempe) and goaltending (Anton Forsberg hot streak) vs. Canucks’ depleted attack: Forsberg has been outstanding in recent wins (multiple shutouts and low GA); Vancouver’s offense, missing Kane and others, will struggle to generate sustained pressure.
Canucks’ young forwards (Brock Boeser, emerging prospects) vs. Kings’ shutdown defense: LA’s blue line has been stout late-season; expect heavy checking and transition opportunities for the Kings.
Special teams: Kings power play and penalty kill have been reliable; Canucks rank near the bottom league-wide on both, especially at home.
Goaltending battle: With Demko done for the year, Vancouver’s backup tandem faces a Kings team averaging low-event, grind-it-out hockey on the road.
Series History
The Kings have dominated the 2025-26 season series, winning the most recent meeting 4-1 in Los Angeles on Apr 9. Vancouver is just 3-6-1 in their last 10 against LA overall. All-time the teams are relatively even, but Los Angeles has owned recent head-to-head play, particularly when Vancouver is shorthanded.
Betting Trends
Kings are on a 4-game win streak and strong as road favorites.
Canucks are 2-3 in last 5 overall and have gone Over in 3 of last 5, but rank among the worst defensive teams.
Totals trend Under when Kings play low-event road games late in the season; LA performs well in the final stretch when playoff motivation is high.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Kings – 162
Vancouver Canucks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, April 13, 2026
