The Los Angeles Kings finish their 2026 preseason on September 26 with an afternoon home game in Downtown Los Angeles against the Anaheim Ducks. According to a team preview on NHL.com, this will be the fourth and final exhibition game before the regular season.
NHL.com reports that the Kings split their veterans across the first three preseason games. For this one, most of the club's NHL regulars are expected to play, so the lineup could look a lot like what Los Angeles uses on opening night.
That group includes the top line of Artemi Panarin, Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe. The line first played together on Tuesday, September 22, when Kempe had a power-play assist. The preview says the more interesting question is how the Kings arrange the rest of their forwards, which could hint at their plans for the season opener in Colorado.
The Kings called themselves "hopeful" that forward Mats Zuccarello can play. He has sat out the first three preseason games with a shoulder injury but took part in a full-contact practice the day before the finale. If he's cleared, it would be his first game for Los Angeles since he signed a one-year contract over the summer. His status had not been confirmed as of the preview.
After the finale, the Kings open the regular season on the road in Colorado and San Jose. Their home opener is set for October 6 against the Florida Panthers, with puck drop at 7 PM in Los Angeles.