Sun Jan 26 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Kings Begin Road Trip Against Blue Jackets, Fiala’s Past Performance in Focus

**Columbus, OH** – The Los Angeles Kings embark on a five-game road trip, kicking off tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 4:05 PM PST. This marks the second and final meeting between the two teams this season, with the Kings securing a 5-2 victory in their previous encounter on November 9th.

The Kings enter the game with a 1-1 record after a recent home stand, while the Blue Jackets are coming off a 1-2-1 road trip. All eyes will be on Kings forward Kevin Fiala, who boasts a strong record against Columbus, having tallied 13 points (4G, 9A) in 12 career games. However, his shot production against the Blue Jackets has been notably lower since joining the Kings. This will be a key area to watch.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets will be relying on the offensive prowess of Kirill Marchenko, a rising star who has already scored 18 goals this season and recently signed a three-year contract extension. Marchenko’s goal-scoring ability will be crucial against a stingy Kings defense, currently ranked sixth in the league in penalty kill percentage (82.1%) and second in goals against per game (2.44). The Kings also boast strong faceoff percentages from Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault, as well as significant physicality from Tanner Jeannot, who ranks 16th in the league in hits.

The game will be broadcast on the FanDuel Sports Network and can be heard live on the ESPN LA app. The matchup promises to be a compelling contest between two teams with contrasting styles.

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