Sharks at Kings (Game 8): Lines, game thread and how to watch

The Los Angeles Kings are returning home for the first time this season, and to celebrate the Crypto.com Arena updates, the team is hosting the San Jose Sharks.

The arena features upgraded premium seating and a chic new patio “…where every guest can eat, drink and socialize while overlooking the sprawling downtown Los Angeles skyline to the north and the Arena Bowl directly below to the south.”

The updates meant the Kings had to start the season on the road. The team wrapped up a seven-game road trip in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The Kings return home with a 3-2-2 record and are in fourth place in the Pacific Division.

The Kings are missing key defenseman Drew Doughty, who broke his ankle in the preseason. In his place, former Shark Kyle Burroughs has secured a spot in the LA squad. Look for him to play tonight.

The Kings' power play is a bit cold at the moment, while the Sharks are having trouble staying disciplined. This would be a bad game if the Kings were allowed to get back into the swing of things. The Sharks need to stay out of the penalty box if the team wants to have a chance tonight.

Another fun storyline to watch: When you meet your cousin on the ice.

Fun treat for tonight:@LAKings vwd Andre Lee will face his cousin @SanJoseSharks vwd Fabian Zetterlund for the first time.

The duo, who once briefly played together on a Swedish junior team, have come a long way since this photo taken back then… pic.twitter.com/ACwi4POEpp

— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) October 24, 2024

Look for Andre Lee and Fabian Zetterlund to give each other a few extra punches after the final whistle.

San Jose Sharks lines

According to Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now, Mackenzie Blackwood will start for the second straight year. So far he has gone back and forth in starts with Vitek Fanecek. But Peng reports that head coach Ryan Warsofsky was pleased with Blackwood's performance against Anaheim and he will get another chance.

Today is also a “development day” for Will Smith.

According to Peng, this is what the lines could look like.

Forward
William Eklund – Mikael Granlund – Tyler Toffoli
Danil Gushchin – Alex Wennberg – Fabian Zetterlund
Barclay Goodrow – Ty Dellandrea – Carl Grundstrom
Klim Kostin – Nico Sturm – Luke Kunin

defense
Jake Walman – Cody Ceci
Mario Ferraro – Jan Rutta
Henry Thrun-Jack Thompson

goalkeeper
Mackenzie Blackwood
Vitek Vanecek

The Los Angeles Kings start on October 24, 2024

Look for David Rittich to get the start in net for the Kings. His replacement will be Darcy Kemper, who was activated from injured reserve today. Phoenix Copely was loaned to Ontario Reign to make the deal work.

According to LA Kings Insider, here's what the Kings' lineups are expected to look like tonight.

Forward
Quentin Byfield – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe
Kevin Fiala – Phillip Danault – Trevor Moore
Warren Foegele – Alex Turcotte – Alex Laferriere
Andre Lee – Trevor Lewis – Tanner Jeannot

defense
Mikey Anderson-Jordan Spence
Vladislav Gavrikov – Kyle Burroughs
Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke

goalkeeper
David Rittich
Darcy Kuemper

How to watch Sharks at Kings tonight

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena.

Sharks fans can watch the game on NBC Sports California or listen on the Sharks Audio Network.

Kings fans can watch the game on FanDuel Sports Network or listen on the ESPN LA app.

As always, join us here online to talk to other fans about what's happening during the game and around the league.