5 Must-Watch LA Kings Games in 2026–27

With just two months left before the 2026-27 season begins, the Los Angeles Kings have quietly been working behind the scenes with trades and signings. As a result, some old faces are gone, such as Andrei Kuzmenko and former captain Anze Kopitar. So, the new lineup should be quite interesting. Ahead of the upcoming campaign, here are five must-watch games featuring intense rivalries and epic on-ice action.

First Game of the Season

This is a no-brainer. The first game of the brand new season is either an exciting watch or a nightmare. The Kings open their regular season on the road against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT. This will be the second meeting between the two teams after their first matchup on Oct. 7, 2025, when the Avalanche earned a 4–1 victory.

Hopefully, this game won’t be a repeat of the previous one. The Kings need to be able to contain Colorado’s star players, Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. After the Avalanche swept Los Angeles in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Kings have plenty of motivation as they would need to bring the heat and dominate this game to get on a good footing.

California Clash

The Kings’ first game against a California rival comes on Oct. 3 (7 p.m. PDT) when they head to San Jose to take on the Sharks. This won’t be an easy matchup, either. The Sharks have an exciting young core led by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, and they’ll also have veteran defenseman Jacob Trouba, who brings plenty of physicality in his first season with the teal-colored squad.

This should be a fun one to watch. San Jose is finally starting to put the pieces together with its young talent, and games between the Sharks and Kings always seem to have a little extra emotion. There’s nothing quite like a classic California rivalry, and this matchup has all the intensity and fire to be one of the more entertaining games early in the season.

A Canadian Showdown

The Kings’ first meeting with the Edmonton Oilers comes on Oct. 13 (7:30 p.m. PDT) at Crypto.com Arena, and it’s one fans will want to remember and circle on their calendar. Anytime these two teams face off, there’s plenty of rivalry and chirps, especially after their recent playoff history. Containing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be the biggest challenge for the black-and-silver group. The superstar duo remains one of the most dangerous combinations in the NHL, capable of taking over a game in just a few shifts.

If the Kings aren’t disciplined, McDavid’s speed and Draisaitl’s elite playmaking and finishing ability can quickly turn the game in Edmonton’s favor. That means the Kings will need a complete team effort to come away with a win. This early-season matchup will be a great test for Los Angeles. If they can lock down Edmonton and pick up two points on home ice, it’ll show they can compete with the league’s elite.

Freeway Faceoff Returns

As a bonus, there are two games to keep an eye on during Thanksgiving weekend, which will be the first Freeway Faceoff of the season. The Kings will head to Honda Center on Nov. 27 for a 1 p.m. PST matchup before returning home the very next night to host the Anaheim Ducks at Crypto.com Arena at 6 p.m. PST. While Anaheim has moved on from many of their veterans, they are far from an easy opponent. Their young core continues to improve, led by Leo Carlsson, the highest-paid player on the roster and in the NHL, along with Cutter Gauthier. Guarding the crease, Lukas Dostal has developed into a dependable goaltender who can steal games when he’s at his best. Safe to say, you can never go wrong with a Freeway Faceoff.

A Battle in the West

The Kings’ final game of the regular season comes on April 10 at 7:30 p.m. PDT and could be one of the most intense matchups on the schedule. Heading into T-Mobile Arena to face the Vegas Golden Knights would be a challenge, and with playoffs potentially on the line, this game could play a big role in how the season finishes. “Sin City” has built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest teams, and they always seem to bring a high level of intensity. They play with a physical edge and a relentless style that makes them difficult on any night. For Los Angeles, this means expect a hard-fought battle from start to finish. No matter what’s at stake, this will be an exciting way to close out the regular season before the playoffs begin.

Which game will you be tuning in to watch? Leave a comment below!