5 Things to Know: Sharks vs Kings

Hot off of their 4-3 OT home opener win on Thursday, the Sharks will take on their divisional rivalry on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Kings.

Game time is 7 p.m. PT at The Tank. Here are five things to know before puck drop.

1. Los Angeles Kings Outlook

On Wednesday, Sept. 30, the Kings suffered a blowout 8-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their opener. Special teams was an issue for them, with the finishing gap making it worse. The Avs were able to capitalize on the power-play, with half of their goals occurring with a man advantage.

While the Kings were able to score two short-handed goals, they went 0-for-4 on the power play.

Last season saw the Kings go 35-27-20 and 10-6-10 in Pacific Division matchups. While 38 of their 220 goals came on the power play, it may be harder to repeat now that Anze Kopitar has retired, as he accounted for about 13 percent of them (five).

2. San Jose Sharks Outlook

Will Smith found the net twice in the Sharks' Thursday night win, Celebrini set up three more, and Luca Cagnoni earned second star of the game with his OT game-winning goal.

The Sharks outshot the Panthers 32-26, killed off five of Florida's six power plays, and netted a shorthanded goal. If Team Teal draws penalties tonight, they may look to get chances against the Kings' PK.

Meanwhile, Jacob Trouba and Collin Graf both got fighting majors, and the team had 20 giveaways. Discipline and puck protection could be critical for the Sharks in tonight's game.

Learn more about ways to watch or listen to the rivalry game here.

3. Opening Weekend

The first weekend game of the season features a Samisa poster giveaway for all those in attendance. The duo is defenseman Sam Dickinson and center Michael Misa.

Team Teal will appear in their Cali Fin black jerseys.

4. Injuries

San Jose will be without Alex Barre-Boulet (undisclosed), Kyle Keyser (upper body), Adam Gaudette (upper body) and Quentin Musty (upper body). Jacob Trouba will be a game time decision due to illness.

Los Angeles has four players out, including Kevin Fiala with a leg injury and Jakub Dvorak with an upper-body injury. Jan Jenik and Otto Salin are also out with undisclosed injuries.

5. Asky in Net

Yaroslav Askarov is slotted to start in net, and how he handles rebounds against a Kings offense that generated 31 shots on goal in their home opener will be worth watching. The 2025-26 Rookie of the Year winner is 1-0 so far this season with a 2.85 GAA and .885 save percentage.