The Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks are set to clash on October 28, 2025, at SAP Center in a Pacific Division matchup that will close out the NHL’s Frozen Frenzy—a unique day where all 32 teams are in action. The Kings, sitting at 4-3-3, are wrapping up a challenging five-game road trip and looking to cap it off with a victory before returning home to Southern California. The Sharks, meanwhile, enter the contest at 2-5-2, riding the momentum of a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild. Both teams have key roster changes that will shape the tactical approach for this crucial divisional battle.
This game represents more than just another divisional matchup. For Los Angeles, it’s an opportunity to solidify what has been a successful road trip despite facing one of the league’s most difficult early-season schedules. For San Jose, the return of key players presents a chance to build on recent success and gain ground in what has been a challenging start to their season. With playoff positioning beginning to take shape even in these early weeks, every point matters in the competitive Pacific Division.
Los Angeles Kings projected lineup for October 28, 2025 matchup
The Kings will deploy their standard lineup structure with some notable adjustments due to injuries. The offensive attack will be led by the top line featuring Andrei Kuzmenko, Anze Kopitar, and Adrian Kempe, a trio that has generated consistent production throughout the season. Kempe leads the team with 13 points through 10 games, showcasing his importance to the Kings’ offensive engine. Kopitar brings his veteran presence and career-long success against San Jose—tallying 28 goals and 47 assists in 97 games against the Sharks—which makes him a critical piece in this divisional rivalry.
The second line will feature Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield, and Alex Laferriere, providing a dynamic blend of speed and skill. This combination has shown flashes of brilliance and will be tasked with maintaining secondary scoring pressure. Following the injury to Warren Foegele, sustained during Saturday’s 5-4 shootout loss to Nashville, coach Jim Hiller has had to shuffle his depth forwards. Joel Armia will center the third line alongside Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore, a defensively responsible unit capable of neutralizing opponent threats.
The fourth line is expected to include Jeff Malott, Alex Turcotte, and veteran Corey Perry. Malott could draw into the lineup specifically as a replacement for Foegele, who is expected to miss significant time with an upper-body injury. This presents an opportunity for the depth forwards to demonstrate their value and potentially earn more playing time. Turcotte, in particular, will be looking to capitalize on increased minutes and show why he was once a highly-touted prospect.
On defense, the Kings will rely heavily on their top pairing of Brian Dumoulin and Drew Doughty. Doughty remains the cornerstone of the defensive unit, bringing both offensive instincts and defensive reliability. The second pairing features Joel Edmundson alongside young rising star Brandt Clarke, who continues to develop his game at the NHL level. The third pairing of Mikey Anderson and Cody Ceci rounds out a defense corps that has shown improvement as the season progresses. Just as the Kings have adjusted their lineup strategy in recent games, tonight’s configuration aims to maximize both defensive stability and offensive contribution from the blue line.
Between the pipes, Darcy Kuemper is projected to get the start. The veteran netminder carries a strong track record against San Jose with a 9-5-4 lifetime record, 2.71 GAA, and .910 save percentage against the Sharks. Anton Forsberg will serve as the backup. Jacob Moverare is listed as a healthy scratch, while Kyle Burroughs remains on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
San Jose Sharks projected lineup facing the Kings tonight
San Jose’s lineup features the return of two significant pieces that were missing from recent action. John Klingberg is expected to return to the blue line after missing six games with a lower-body injury, providing a veteran presence and offensive capability from the backend. Jeff Skinner also returns to the forward group after sitting out as a healthy scratch during the overtime win against Minnesota. His return adds depth and scoring potential to a Sharks lineup that has struggled for consistency this season.
The top line for San Jose features Tyler Toffoli, rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini, and fellow first-year player Will Smith. Celebrini has been electric in his debut campaign, leading the team with 15 points including six goals and nine assists through nine games. The pairing of the two top draft picks creates an exciting dynamic for the future of the franchise. Toffoli, a former King himself, brings veteran experience and a proven scoring touch that complements the young stars’ enthusiasm.
The second line will consist of Philipp Kurashev, Alexander Wennberg, and William Eklund. This combination provides two-way capability and secondary scoring options. Eklund has been one of the bright spots for San Jose with consistent play on both ends of the ice. The third line features Collin Graf, Michael Misa, and the returning Jeff Skinner, while the fourth line includes Barclay Goodrow, Ty Dellandrea, and physical presence Ryan Reaves. This depth configuration gives coach Ryan Warsofsky options for different game situations.
On the back end, the Sharks will deploy Dmitry Orlov with Timothy Liljegren on the top pairing. Mario Ferraro will skate alongside the returning John Klingberg on the second pair, while rookie Sam Dickinson partners with Vincent Desharnais on the third defensive duo. Dickinson has shown promise in his early NHL action, providing hope for the future of the defensive corps. The return of Klingberg is significant as he adds experience and puck-moving ability that was missed during his absence.
In goal, Yaroslav Askarov is expected to start for San Jose. The highly-touted goaltending prospect has shown flashes of brilliance but also the expected inconsistency of a young netminder adjusting to NHL action. Alex Nedeljkovic will serve as the backup. The Sharks will scratch defenseman Vicent Iorio and forward Patrick Giles, who was recalled from the AHL but won’t dress for the game. Injuries continue to plague San Jose, with Shakir Mukhamadullin (upper body), Nick Leddy (upper body), and Adam Gaudette (upper body) all sidelined.
Key tactical battles and special teams considerations for this Pacific Division clash
Special teams could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of this contest. Neither team has excelled on the penalty kill this season, with Los Angeles ranked 21st at 74% and San Jose sitting at 29th with just a 66% success rate. This presents opportunities for both power play units to make an impact. The Sharks actually hold the advantage in power play efficiency, ranking 7th in the NHL with a 28% conversion rate compared to the Kings’ 16th-ranked unit at 21%.
The battle in the faceoff circle will be crucial for establishing puck possession and controlling the flow of play. Kopitar remains one of the league’s elite faceoff men and will match up against San Jose’s center depth, particularly Wennberg and the talented rookies. Winning draws in the defensive zone will be critical for both teams to avoid extended pressure in their own end. The Kings have emphasized defensive zone structure throughout the season, and clean exits will be essential against an aggressive Sharks forecheck.
Physical play and puck battles along the boards will define much of the even-strength action. The Sharks possess size and grit with players like Reaves, Goodrow, and Desharnais, while the Kings counter with Edmundson, Dumoulin, and Perry’s veteran savvy. Coach Jim Hiller will likely emphasize speed through the neutral zone to create odd-man rushes, leveraging the skating ability of Kempe, Byfield, and Fiala to generate scoring chances.
Defensive coverage in front of the net will be paramount for both goaltenders. Askarov, still establishing himself at the NHL level, will need strong support from his defensemen to clear rebounds and limit second-chance opportunities. Kuemper, despite his experience, has occasionally struggled with lateral movement on cross-ice passes, so the Kings’ defense must be diligent in preventing east-west passing plays across the slot.
Historical context and recent trends between these Pacific Division rivals
The Kings and Sharks rivalry has produced memorable moments over the years, but recent meetings have favored San Jose when playing at SAP Center. Last season, Los Angeles played two games in San Jose and struggled defensively, allowing a combined 11 goals while losing both contests. This historical context adds urgency for the Kings to reverse that trend and prove they can secure victories in enemy territory against divisional opponents.
Kopitar’s success against the Sharks throughout his career cannot be overstated. His 75 points in 97 games against San Jose demonstrates his ability to elevate his game in this rivalry. Tyler Toffoli, now wearing teal, also has memorable moments against his former team, including a dramatic buzzer-beating overtime goal with 0.4 seconds remaining on October 28, 2017, when he was still with Los Angeles. That same date makes tonight’s matchup carry additional significance for the veteran forward.
The Kings’ recent pattern of frequent overtime and shootout games—securing their first regulation win nine games into the season—highlights both their competitiveness and their inability to put teams away in regulation. This trend has GM Ken Holland surely evaluating roster construction and wondering if additional firepower or defensive stability is needed. A regulation victory tonight would provide a confidence boost heading into a homestand.
San Jose’s 6-5 overtime victory against Minnesota showcased both their offensive potential and defensive vulnerabilities. The Sharks can score in bunches with their young talent but often struggle to protect leads. Coach Ryan Warsofsky is still implementing his systems with a roster in transition, trying to balance development of young players like Celebrini, Smith, and Dickinson with the need to remain competitive and build positive habits.
What to watch for and championship implications as the season develops
For the Kings, this game represents the culmination of a challenging opening stretch. They’ve faced elite competition while spending most of October away from home, yet they sit just two points out of first place in the Pacific Division. A victory tonight would give them a 4-0-1 record on this road trip, an impressive feat by any measure. The performance of Byfield on the second line will be particularly important to monitor, as his development remains central to the franchise’s long-term aspirations.
The Sharks’ young core will continue to attract attention as Celebrini builds his Calder Trophy resume. His chemistry with Will Smith could become one of the league’s most exciting duos if both players continue their current trajectory. The return of Klingberg and Skinner adds veteran stability that could help mentor the younger players through the inevitable ups and downs of an NHL season. How Warsofsky manages minutes between his veterans and prospects will be a delicate balancing act.
Goaltending performance will likely determine the outcome given both teams’ special teams vulnerabilities and offensive capabilities. Kuemper needs to continue building confidence and consistency after an up-and-down start to his Kings tenure. For Askarov, every game represents an opportunity to prove he’s ready for a full-time NHL role and justify the Sharks’ investment in acquiring him. A strong performance against a playoff-caliber opponent would go a long way toward establishing his credentials.
Looking ahead, the Kings will return home for a four-game homestand that could define their early-season trajectory. With Foegele’s extended absence, roster moves and call-ups from the AHL may be necessary. Players like Akil Thomas, Andre Lee, and Franky Pinelli could receive opportunities if Hiller opts for reinforcements. These decisions will shape not only the immediate lineup but also provide evaluation opportunities for players pushing for permanent roster spots.
The Pacific Division remains wide open through the season’s first month, and every divisional game carries amplified importance for playoff positioning. Both teams entered the season with different expectations—Los Angeles as a playoff contender and San Jose as a rebuilding franchise embracing youth—but pride and points are on the line regardless. Tonight’s battle at SAP Center will provide insight into where both franchises truly stand as they navigate the long NHL campaign. With puck drop scheduled for 8:00 PM Pacific on ESPN, this clash promises competitive hockey and significant implications for both clubs moving forward.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.