LA Kings 2026-27 Schedule: Top Matchups & Storylines

Back to Crypto.com Arena

The Kings are set to return to Crypto.com Arena for the upcoming season, marking a fresh start after a turbulent campaign. The arena will once again host home games, giving fans a chance to see the team rebuild under new leadership. This return caps a off‑season of significant change for the franchise.

During the 2025‑26 season, the Kings fired longtime head coach Jim Hiller on March 1 following a prolonged slump that left them out of the playoff picture. Interim coach DJ Smith guided the club to an 11‑6‑6 finish, earning a playoff berth, though the Avalanche swept them in the first round.

New NHL Calendar Takes Shape

The NHL released its 2026‑27 schedule on July 16, unveiling a fresh calendar that features 84 regular‑season games for each club and four matchups against every division opponent. The league’s season opener is slated for Sept. 29, giving the Kings a brief preview window before their first game.

Los Angeles signed Peter Laviolette as its new head coach, aiming to build on the momentum from the late‑season run. Laviolette’s first test comes right out of the gate, as the Kings open on Sept. 30 in Denver against the defending‑ Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche.

Coaching Turnover & Early Season Push

Peter Laviolette will face his first opponent in a high‑stakes setting, the Avs, who captured the Presidents’ Trophy the previous season before being stunned by the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals. The clash in Denver is more than a season‑opening drub, it’s a chance for Laviolette to signal a new era for LA.

After the Avs game, the Kings travel to Northern California to meet the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 3, then return home for a Florida Panthers tilt on Oct. 6. Both contests highlight the depth of the Western Conference and give early clues about LA’s playoff positioning.

Top Matchups Fans Should Circle

Sept. 30 at Colorado Avalanche: The season‑opener pits the Kings against a team that swept them last postseason and later fell to Vegas. A win would instantly boost Laviolette’s confidence and show the Kings can compete with the league’s elite.

Oct. 3 vs. Florida Panthers: The Panthers enter the year after winning back‑to‑back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, only to miss the playoffs in 2025‑26. Their missed postseason makes this a chance for the Kings to prove they can handle a defending‑champion caliber opponent.

Oct. 27 vs. San Jose Sharks (Freeway Face‑Off): The rivalry series is one of ten back‑to‑back sets the Kings face, and the previous season saw the Ducks win three of four, with a memorable 6‑1 Kings victory on Dec. 27. Alex Laferriere’s hat trick that night remains a highlight of the matchup.

Nov. 15 at Toronto Maple Leafs: The game marks former coach Jim Hiller’s return to Los Angeles after his June hiring by the Leafs. It also offers the first opportunity to see 2026 first‑overall draft pick Gavin McKenna in action, a prospect expected to shape the franchise’s future.

Dec. 31 vs. Washington Capitals: This late‑season tilt features Alex Ovechkin, who signed a one‑year extension for his 22nd season. Ovechkin needs 11 goals to break Wayne Gretzky’s combined regular‑season and playoff scoring record, making the game a potential milestone for hockey history.

Future Stars and Veteran Milestones

The 2026 draft’s No. 1 pick, Gavin McKenna, will debut with the Kings after a standout junior career, and his early contributions could set the tone for a rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, veteran presence like Ovechkin’s final season adds drama and draws attention to the league’s record‑breaking chase.

These storylines combine to create a compelling narrative for the Kings as they rebuild, blend new talent, and aim to recapture the excitement that Crypto.com Arena’s fans crave. The blend of high‑profile matchups and individual milestones ensures the 2026‑27 season will be one to watch from start to finish.