March 5, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, 35, and right winger Adrian Kempe, 9, embrace after their game against the New York Islanders at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Kings sent several reminders at the trade deadline that they are still serious about making the playoffs.
They just need to start winning.
The Kings will look for their second straight win when they take on the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Los Angeles won 5-3 over the New York Islanders on Thursday. The Kings haven’t won two in a row since a three-game winning streak in late January.
“We’ve got to get hot and we’ve got to win games,” Kings forward Adrian Kempe said. “I think that’s the most important thing.”
The Canadiens will visit Los Angeles the night after losing to the Ducks 6-5 in a shootout on the highway in Anaheim.
The Kings have dropped six of their last seven games when they face the Islanders, who had their five-game winning streak halted by a 5-1 loss in Anaheim the night before.
Los Angeles took a 3-0 lead, scoring one goal in the first quarter and two goals in the second half.
Even after the Islanders cut the deficit to 4-2 early in the third quarter, Kempe scored four minutes later to re-establish a three-goal advantage.
“I think if we put in the effort we did (against New York) and play the way we do with the puck or without the puck, it’s definitely going to help us get in a good position,” Kempe said. “Of course, you have to get hot at the right time, and the window is getting smaller, so now is the time to get hot. If we can keep bringing this, I think it will be a good opportunity.”
The Kings are without forward Quinton Byfield, who is third on the team with 33 points. He has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but is scheduled to travel with the team on Sunday when they embark on a five-game road trip.
Los Angeles traded forwards Warren Foegele and Corey Perry before Friday’s deadline to acquire forward Scott Laughton from the Toronto Maple Leafs, while forward Mathieu Joseph signed as a free agent after being released by the St. Louis Blues.
Laughton appeared in 43 games for the Maple Leafs, scoring eight goals and four assists. He scored a career-high 18 goals and 43 points in 78 games for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2022-23.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens overcame a two-goal deficit against the Ducks early in the third quarter and scored three goals in four minutes and 30 seconds to take a 5-4 lead.
Montreal gave up the tying goal with 42 seconds left, and Anaheim’s goalie drew an extra attacker, failing to utilize the power play in overtime and losing in a penalty shootout in the sixth round.
“We can regroup here,” Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson said. “The best part is we can come right back on Saturday and end the trip with great memories.”
Jakub Dobes is expected to score against the Kings after Sam Montembeault made 28 saves for Anaheim. Doves struggled in his last outing on Tuesday, giving up six goals on 27 shots in a 7-5 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Before that start, the Dobes were 9-2 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in their previous 11 games.
Dobes faced the Kings last season and gave up five goals in a 6-3 loss in Los Angeles.
-Field level media
