Forsberg Starts, Moore/Laughton To Play + Younger Group, Roster Battles, Ward on Ontario Return

Key Points:

• The Los Angeles Kings open their 2026 NHL preseason with a game against the Vegas Golden Knights on September 19 at Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA, featuring a younger lineup mixed with some veterans like Scott Laughton and Trevor Moore.
• The Kings aim to improve their special teams this preseason, with Head Coach Peter Laviolette focusing on assembling effective power-play units during the exhibition games, particularly in the upcoming home games at Crypto.com Arena.
• Goaltender Anton Forsberg is expected to start for the Kings, with rookie Hampton Slukynsky also on the roster, while veterans like Laughton and Moore will play significant minutes to prepare for the regular season.
• Vegas will field a similar mix of players, including veteran goaltender Adin Hill and forwards Braeden Bowman and Alexander Holtz, as both teams use the preseason to evaluate talent and finalize roster spots.
• The game is also a nod to the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, with several players having developmental ties to the team and the organization continuing its tradition of holding preseason games in Ontario to engage fans and support player growth.