Penguins and Kings Set to Clash: Projected Lineups and Game Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to face off against the Los Angeles Kings tonight, October 16, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM PST. This matchup marks the first of two straight home games against Eastern Conference teams for the Kings.

Both teams are looking to rebound from recent losses. The Penguins (2-2-0) are coming off a 4-3 defeat against the Anaheim Ducks, while the Kings (1-2-1) suffered a 4-3 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Projected Lineups

Here's a look at the projected lineups for both teams:

Pittsburgh Penguins:

• Forwards:
  • Rickard Rakell - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
  • Anthony Mantha - Evgeni Malkin - Justin Brazeau
  • Filip Hallander - Tommy Novak - Philip Tomasino
  • Connor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari
• Defense:
  • Parker Wotherspoon - Erik Karlsson
  • Ryan Shea - Kris Letang
  • Caleb Jones - Harrison Brunicke
• Goaltenders:
  • Arturs Silovs (Likely starter)
  • Tristan Jarry

Key Injuries/Scratches for Penguins: Kevin Hayes (upper body) and Rutger McGroarty (upper body) are injured. Mathew Dumba, Connor Clifton, and Ben Kindel are expected to be scratched. Kris Letang suffered a lower-body injury in the previous game against the Rangers and was listed as day-to-day, his availability remains uncertain. Harrison Brunicke was held out of a previous game as part of his development plan.

Los Angeles Kings:

• Forwards:
  • Andrei Kuzmenko - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
  • Kevin Fiala - Quinton Byfield - Joel Armia
  • Warren Foegele - Phillip Danault - Trevor Moore
  • Jeff Malott - Alex Turcotte - Alex Laferriere
• Defense:
  • Brian Dumoulin - Drew Doughty
  • Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
  • Mikey Anderson - Cody Ceci
• Goaltenders:
  • Anton Forsberg (Likely starter)
  • Darcy Kuemper

Key Injuries/Scratches for Kings: Darcy Kuemper is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Corey Perry (knee) and Kyle Burroughs (upper body) are also injured. Jacob Moverare and Samuel Helenius are expected to be scratched. Anze Kopitar is a game-time decision due to a lower-body injury.

Players to Watch

• Evgeni Malkin (Penguins): Malkin has a strong history against the Kings, with 22 points in 24 career games. He also leads the Penguins with six assists this season.
• Adrian Kempe (Kings): Kempe led the Kings in scoring against the Penguins last season and has a career 1.07 points-per-game average against them.
• Justin Brazeau (Penguins): Brazeau has been on a hot streak, scoring four goals in the first four games of the season.
• Quinton Byfield (Kings): Byfield is coming off a strong performance where he collected a goal and an assist against the Wild.

Additional Game Notes

• The game will be broadcast on FDSNW and SN-PIT.
• Kings forward Brian Dumoulin will be playing against his former team, the Penguins, where he spent 10 seasons and won two Stanley Cups.
• Blake Lizotte, now with the Penguins, returns to Los Angeles where he previously played for the Kings.
• The Kings need to improve their discipline, having taken too many penalties in their first four games.
• The Penguins have lost their last two games, while the Kings are also on a two-game losing streak.

With both teams eager to snap their losing streaks, this promises to be a competitive and exciting matchup.