The LA Kings Are Still Searching for Their First Home Win – Can They Find Their Swagger Against the Winnipeg Jets Tonight?
It’s hard to believe, but nearly a month into the 2025 NHL season, the Los Angeles Kings are one of only two teams yet to secure a home victory. Tonight, they face the Winnipeg Jets at Crypto.com Arena, hoping to turn their fortunes around. But here’s where it gets controversial: after a franchise-record 31 home wins last season, what’s causing this sudden home ice slump? And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about losing—it’s about the how. The Kings have dominated possession and outshot opponents, yet the puck refuses to find the net. Is it bad luck, or is there something deeper at play?
Game Details:
- Who: Los Angeles Kings (5-4-4) vs. Winnipeg Jets (9-3-0)
- What: 2025 Regular-Season Game 14/82
- When: Tuesday, November 3 @ 7:30 PM Pacific
- Where: Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA
- How to Follow:
- Video: FanDuel Sports Network
- Audio: ESPN LA App & LA Kings App
- Twitter: @jaredshafran (http://twitter.com/jaredshafran) & @lakings (http://twitter.com/lakings)
Tonight’s Matchup:
The Kings continue their four-game homestand against the Jets, a team they’ve historically competed well against. This is the second of three meetings this season, with the Jets taking the first matchup 3-2 on October 11. Last season, the Kings went undefeated against Winnipeg, thanks in part to Adrian Kempe’s six-point performance. Kempe also contributed a goal and an assist in their last meeting, while Mikey Anderson scored his lone goal of the season so far.
Kings Vitals:
After a full practice in El Segundo, the Kings held an optional morning skate. While it’s unconfirmed who will start in goal, Darcy Kuemper is the likely candidate, given his strong career record against the Jets (8-3-0, .918 save percentage, 2.65 GAA). Kuemper stopped 24 of 27 shots in their earlier meeting this season.
Lineup changes are expected tonight, with Joel Armia joining Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe on the top line, and Andre Kuzmenko playing alongside Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore. Defensively, Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty are reunited, while Brian Dumoulin pairs with Cody Ceci. Warren Foegele remains out with an upper-body injury but is nearing a return.
Jets Vitals:
Winnipeg kicks off a six-game road trip after recent wins over Chicago and Pittsburgh. They’ve won four of their last five games and sit second in the Central Division, just one point behind Colorado. The big news? Team captain Adam Lowry makes his season debut tonight after recovering from offseason hip surgery. Offensively, Mark Scheifele leads the Jets with 20 points, while Kyle Connor has 17 points and shares the team’s plus-minus lead at +11. Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, is expected to start in goal.
Storyline of the Day – Searching for Swagger at Home:
Head Coach Jim Hiller summed it up perfectly: “What we don’t have is just that swagger.” Last season’s home dominance feels like a distant memory, and the Kings are struggling to find their rhythm at Crypto.com Arena. They’ve only led once in five home games, and even when they’ve outshot opponents—like their 93 shot attempts against New Jersey—they’ve come up short. Is it a matter of finishing chances, or is there a deeper psychological block?
Defender Brandt Clarke remains optimistic, noting that the opportunities are there. “There’s a lot of good to take away,” he said. “If we can build off that, it’s going to do us well in the long run.” But the question remains: can the Kings translate those chances into goals tonight?
3 Things to Watch For:
1. Mikey Anderson’s Increased Role: Anderson, who’s been limited to under 16 minutes of ice time in the first two homestand games, is expected to see more action tonight. His defensive prowess will be crucial against Winnipeg’s high-powered offense, which leads the league with 3.75 goals per game.
Familiar Faces, Familiar Challenges: This is the first time this season the Kings face an opponent for the second time, allowing Hiller to study recent game tape rather than relying on past seasons. Keep an eye on Adrian Kempe, who has a nine-game scoring streak against the Jets, and Gabriel Vilardi, who’s riding a five-game point streak.
Corey Perry’s Milestone: The 40-year-old veteran plays his 1,400th career NHL game tonight, becoming the 44th player in league history to reach this mark. Perry has been a spark plug for the Kings, earning points in all but two games since joining the lineup. Will he celebrate his milestone with a big performance?
Controversial Question: Is the Kings’ home ice struggle a temporary slump, or does it reveal a deeper issue with their offensive strategy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
The puck drops at 7:30 PM in Downtown LA. No parade traffic to worry about—just a team desperate to find its swagger. Will tonight be the night?
