The New York Islanders (35-22-5, 75 points) face the Los Angeles Kings (24-22-14, 62 points) in a cross-conference matchup at Crypto.com Arena. The Islanders, second in the Metropolitan Division and riding strong defensive play overall, come off a back-to-back after a 5-1 loss to Anaheim despite outshooting the Ducks 43-25, ending a five-game win streak. The Kings, fifth in the Pacific Division and pushing for playoff positioning, are at home seeking consistency under coach D.J. Smith, with Anze Kopitar nearing his 1,500th NHL game. This game features two defensively oriented teams, with low-scoring trends prominent; the Islanders lead the season series if prior meetings occurred, but historical edges favor LA in recent matchups.
Venue Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA.
Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET.
Injury Report
New York Islanders:
- Ryan Pulock (D): Day-to-Day / Upper Body (expected game-time decision or out until at least March 5).
- Kyle Palmieri (C): IR (long-term, out until September 15 or later).
Los Angeles Kings:
- Kevin Fiala (LW): Out (leg).
- Andrei Kuzmenko (LW): Out (meniscus; IR, expected back March 24).
- Darcy Kuemper (G): Day-to-Day (illness).
- Joel Armia (RW): Out (upper body; IR, expected back March 7).
- Quinton Byfield (RW): Out (expected back March 7).
Key Player Matchups
This defensive battle highlights goaltending and secondary scoring, with fatigue from the Islanders’ back-to-back potentially a factor.
- Mathew Barzal (NYI, C) vs. Anze Kopitar (LAK, C): Barzal drives playmaking for the Islanders (key in recent wins). Kopitar, approaching 1,500 games, anchors LA’s top line with elite faceoffs and two-way play.
- Bo Horvat (NYI, C) vs. Adrian Kempe (LAK, RW): Horvat provides scoring depth (Over 2.5 shots prop popular). Kempe leads Kings in points (around 50) with speed and finishing against NYI’s structure.
- Anders Lee (NYI, LW) vs. Darcy Kuemper / Pheonix Copley (LAK, G): Lee on a four-game goal streak (12 goals in 20 vs. LA historically). Kuemper (day-to-day) or Copley faces high shot volume from NYI (43 in last game).
- Noah Dobson (NYI, D) vs. Drew Doughty (LAK, D): Dobson quarterbacks power play. Doughty anchors LA’s defense with veteran presence.
Other notables: Simon Holmstrom (NYI) vs. LA’s bottom-six for energy; Islanders’ penalty kill vs. Kings’ power play.
Recent Team Forms
Islanders are strong defensively but snapped a streak; Kings inconsistent but solid at home in spots.
New York Islanders Last 5+ Games (focus recent):
- Mar 4: @ ANA L 1-5 (outshot 43-25).
- Mar 1: vs FLA W 5-4 (Lee GWG, Schaefer 2G).
- Prior: Five-game win streak before loss (8-2 in last 10 estimate).
Los Angeles Kings Last 5 Games (approx. mixed, recent loss):
- Recent: L vs COL 2-4; prior wins/losses show defensive structure but scoring issues.
Series History
\The Islanders and Kings have a close all-time rivalry (Islanders 54-56-12-1 overall). In 2024-25, Kings dominated 2-0. Recent trends: Kings won three straight and eight of last 10; Islanders 1-7 SU in last eight vs. LA. This season: First meeting (or split if prior); low-scoring affairs common.
Betting Trends
- Total: Under hits in 17 of Islanders’ last 25 away games.
- Key Trends: Islanders Under in recent road games; Kings allow 3+ in seven of last nine; total Over in four of Islanders’ last six overall. Kings 42% as favorites.
Game Odds
New York Islanders 5.5
Los Angeles Kings – 135
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, March 4, 2026
