Things go from bad to worse for the Kings star. After being benched in Saturday's game vs. Utah, Fiala missed a team meeting and will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. the Sharks. Akil Thomas will make his season debut in Fiala's spot and it's unclear if he'll re-join the lineup for the second-half of the Kings' back-to-back on Wednesday.
On the opening night of a back-to-back, the Kings will turn to Rittich between the pipes. The 32-year-old Rittich started five straight games (3-2-0) before Darcy Kuemper returned from injury, posting a 3.09 GAA and .874 SV%. In his most recent outing, Rittich saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Rittich and the Kings will visit the Sharks in San Jose for a rematch on Tuesday, with the Kings entering the action as -288 road favorites.
Thomas has yet to play this season but had four points (3G / 1A) in seven games with the Kings last season. The 24-year-old Thomas was a second-round selection of the Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
On the opening night of a back-to-back, the Kings will likely turn to Rittich between the pipes. The 32-year-old Rittich started five straight games (3-2-0) before Darcy Kuemper returned from injury, posting a 3.09 GAA and .874 SV%. In his most recent outing, Rittich saved 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Rittich and the Kings will visit the Sharks in San Jose for a rematch on Tuesday, with the Kings entering the action as -288 road favorites.
Copley has been with the Kings since being recalled from Ontario (AHL) on October 16th but strictly served as the backup to David Rittich during his stay. Copley played eight games with the Kings last season (4-1-2), posting a 3.16 GAA and .870 SV%, and has a 3.04 GAA and .864 SV% after one game with the Ontario Reign (1-0-0) this season.
Kuemper has not played since a forgetful outing on October 14th when he allowed eight goals on 41 shots (.805 SV%) in an 8-7 loss to the Ottawa Senators. He was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after. David Rittich had stepped in as the Kings' starter in Kuemper's absence and will start again on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Kuemper could have a chance to return to the crease on Saturday against the Utah Hockey Club.
With Darcy Kuemper (lower body) still sidelined, the Kings will roll with Rittich in the crease for the fifth straight game. Rittich has been serviceable in this stretch, winning two of four contests (2-2-0), but had a rough time in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 30 shots (.800 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. That said, the Kings enter the action on Thursday as overwhelming -303 home favorites against the San Jose Sharks, the only team without a win this season (0-5-2).
Andreas Englund will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Burroughs to return to the lineup after a three-game absence. The 29-year-old Burroughs has one point (0G / 1A), two blocks, and eight hits in four games this season.
With Darcy Kuemper (lower body) still sidelined, the Kings will roll with Rittich in the crease for the fifth straight game. Rittich has been serviceable in this stretch, winning two of four contests (2-2-0), but had a rough time in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 30 shots (.800 SV%) in a 6-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. That said, the Kings enter the action on Thursday as overwhelming -303 home favorites against the San Jose Sharks, the only team without a win this season (0-5-2).
Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is nearing a return from injury, but stellar play from Rittich has made his absence tolerable. Rittich has allowed two combined goals in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving 40 of 42 shots in the process (.952 SV%). The Czech netminder became a trustworthy option between the pipes for the Kings last season and is trending in that direction again. The Kings enter action on Tuesday as +113 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Darcy Kuemper (lower body) is nearing a return from injury, but stellar play from Rittich has made his absence tolerable. Rittich has allowed two combined goals in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving 40 of 42 shots in the process (.952 SV%). The Czech netminder became a trustworthy option between the pipes for the Kings last season and is trending in that direction again. The Kings enter action on Tuesday as +113 road underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Spence will immediately re-enter the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's game in Toronto. Kyle Burroughs will sit in his place.
Burroughs will sit for the first time this season as the Kings opt to get some fresh legs into the lineup on the tail-end of their back-to-back. Jordan Spence will draw back into the lineup in his place.
