The game between the Los Angeles Kings (1-2-1) and Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0) is one between two teams who are trying to turn things around. The Kings are 0-1-1 while the Penguins have two regulation losses in the last two games. For the Kings, the last time they were on the ice was against the Wild when they would give up three goals in the first period.
Adrian Kempe and the Los Angeles Kings return to Crypto Arena to face Sidney Crosby the Penguins late this week at home
However, they bounced back and had three goals in the third, including Adrian Kempe tying it up inside the final minute of regulation. They unfortunately couldn't close it out and were only able to get one point.
The Kings will now turn their focus to the Penguins as they try to get back into the win column. If they hope to do that, these are three players who have to lead the way.
Anton Forsberg
As the Kings try to get back into the win column, they are going to have to do it without their starting goalie, Darcy Kuemper. He suffered a lower-body injury that is considered 'day-to-day', but the Kings did trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning to bring back Pheonix Copley, which might be an indication that Kuemper might miss a few games.
Forsberg signed as a free agent this summer with the Kings and is hoping to have a better showing than his first game with Los Angeles. He would get the start against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second game of the season. While the Kings would win that game, Forsberg gave up five goals on 35 shots.
The Penguins have not been a good scoring team this season and average only 2.75 goals per game. It will be important for the Kings to limit the shots and help Forsberg in net.
Brandt Clarke
It is still early in the season, but Brandt Clarke has been off to a fast start, due in large part to the coaching staff remaining committed to getting him on the ice. Through four games, he is averaging 17:53 minutes per game, which is almost two minutes more than he averaged per game last season.
He has delivered with those extra minutes, scoring two points already (one goal, one assist), but has also improved in some advanced metrics, such as Corsi For %, which is up to 57.1% this season in even-strength play. That is three percentage points more than last season.
While Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty remain the first pair, Clarke is really making an impact on this defense. It was something the Kings hoped for, and it is great to see that materialize.
Adrian Kempe
This has the potential to be a high-scoring game, especially if Forsberg struggles, as both teams are allowing on average over three goals per game. In their last two games, they have allowed 10 goals combined in games between the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks.
The Kings should be able to score on this Pittsburgh team and Adrian Kempe could be one of those players who find the back of the net. On the season, Kempe has two goals and three assists, with one goal in each of the past two games.
He has been the team's top goal scorer for a few seasons now and is playing in a contract season. There is no question the better he plays, the more leverage he has when discussing his next contract. He should be even more motivated to continue to light up the lamp.