NHL · January 24, 2026
Los Angeles Kings @ St. Louis Blues
Free LineCrush game report for Los Angeles Kings @ St. Louis Blues on January 24, 2026, with matchup analysis and pick ideas generated for the daily slate. Reports can update as lineups, injuries, and odds develop, so confirm time-sensitive details before acting.
Matchup Analysis
Kings Get Healthy at Right Time
Los Angeles returns Darcy Kuemper and Drew Doughty for the start of a critical six-game road trip, with both players expected to play Saturday. The Kings are 12-6-6 on the road this season and earned points in five of their last six games, positioning them well despite traveling without captain Anze Kopitar (upper body injury, ninth straight game missed).
Blues Missing Top Talent
St. Louis enters on a three-game losing streak with leading scorer Robert Thomas sidelined by a lower-body injury (expected out until at least Jan 29), alongside Pius Suter and Oskar Sundqvist. The Blues were outscored 11-3 on their recent three-game road trip and now must rely on a reshuffled lineup with Pavel Buchnevich moved to center.
Goaltending Advantage for LA
Darcy Kuemper, who went 2-1 in his last three starts and made 17 saves on 18 shots in a previous win against St. Louis, returns for the Kings. The Blues counter with Joel Hofer after Jordan Binnington started in Dallas, giving LA the edge in net with a healthier, more established starter.
Kempe's History Against St. Louis
Adrian Kempe scored the game-winning goal in overtime when these teams last met in October, and since the 2022-23 season, only five players around the league have scored more goals against the Blues than Kempe's seven.
Rest vs. Momentum Disadvantage for Blues
While St. Louis played Friday and traveled late from Dallas, the Kings have had since Tuesday to prepare. However, LA's history of failing to capitalize on similar opportunities—five losses over 15 games against teams missing key players—suggests vulnerability despite the Blues' depleted roster.
Pick Ideas
Kings Moneyline
LA is healthier, stronger on the road (12-6-6), and faces a Blues team on a three-game losing streak without leading scorer Robert Thomas. The advantage favors the visitors.
Under on Total Goals
St. Louis was outscored 11-3 on their recent road trip and the Blues' reshuffled lineup under Pavel Buchnevich at center lacks chemistry, suggesting limited offensive output against a steady LA defense.
Kings -1.5 Puck Line
With Kuemper returning and the Kings' strong road record (12 wins away from home), LA should win by at least two goals against a Blues team playing their fourth game in six days with key injuries.