The Kings will open their 2025-26 season Tuesday evening at Crypto.com Arena against the Colorado Avalanche after tying team records for wins and points last season, but again losing in the first round of the playoffs.
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The Kings were 48-25-9 in the 2024-25 season, finishing second in the eight-team Pacific Division. Their 48 victories matched their mark set in the 2015-16 season and their 105 points tied the record originally set in the 1974- 75 season. The Kings' 31 home victories were a franchise record.
However, for the fourth consecutive year, the Kings' season ended with a first-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Four days later, the team announced it and general manager and vice president of hockey operations Rob Blake had mutually agreed to part ways.
Ken Holland, a four-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, was announced as Blake's successor nine days later.
The season will be the last for Anze Kopitar, who announced on Sept. 18 he would retire at the conclusion of the season. Kopitar is 29 points away from tying Marcel Dionne for the most in Kings' history.
Colorado was 49-29-4 for 102 points last season, finishing third in the eight-team Central Division. The Avalanche also lost in the first round of the playoffs.
A free fan festival will begin at 4 p.m. at LA Live, with live entertainment, interactive games, food and beverage options, merchandise booths, and appearances from Kings alumni and the team mascot, Bailey.
Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, will perform the national anthem and lead fans in the traditional "Go Kings Go" drum moment. The Kings have partnered with Iron Maiden to license the rights to its song "Fear of the Dark," which will be used as part of their in-game entertainment throughout the season.
The Grammy-nominated pop duo Capital Cities will perform during first period intermission.
Face-value tickets are expected to be sold out, a Kings spokesperson told City News Service. Remaining tickets for sale and re-sale are available at lakings.com or AXS.com.
The 7:30 p.m. game will be televised by ESPN.
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