9/22 Preview - Veterans To Play, Kuemper In Net + Defensive Pair Thoughts, PP Chance, Lefebvre Debut

Key Points:

• The Los Angeles Kings face the Utah Mammoth in the second of four 2026 NHL preseason games on Tuesday, September 22 at Crypto.com Arena, with several veterans making their preseason debuts including goalie Darcy Kuemper.
• The Kings and Mammoth split their preseason meetings last year, with key players like Andre Lee, Alex Turcotte, and Brandt Clarke returning to the ice for Los Angeles, while Utah features top scorers Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller, and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.
• Defensive pairings are a key storyline, with coach Peter Laviolette experimenting with veterans Mikey Anderson, Brandt Clarke, Cody Ceci, and Joel Edmundson, while notable absences include Drew Doughty, signaling potential shifts for the regular season.
• Power play adjustments are necessary for the Kings as Mats Zuccarello remains sidelined with a non-contact jersey, leading to Andre Lee likely filling in on the top unit alongside Clarke, Kempe, Panarin, and Byfield.
• Rookie Liam Lefebvre will make his NHL preseason debut after impressing in camp and the Rookie Faceoff, highlighting the Kings’ focus on integrating new talent amid a veteran-heavy lineup for this exhibition.