Islanders Clash with Kings in Non-Conference Showdown

The New York Islanders (35-22-5) and the Los Angeles Kings (24-22-14) are set to face off in a non-conference matchup at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Recent Performance

The Islanders, currently in the Metropolitan Division, have been on a strong run, going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, averaging 3.3 goals and 5.2 assists per game. They’ve similarly demonstrated resilience in close contests, boasting an 18-5-0 record in games decided by a single goal.

The Kings, representing the Pacific Division, have struggled recently, with a 3-6-1 record in their last 10 games. They’ve averaged 2.1 goals and 3.4 assists during this stretch, while conceding an average of 3.3 goals per game. Los Angeles performs well when scoring consistently, holding an 18-2-7 record in games where they net at least three goals.

Key Players to Watch

For the Kings, Artemi Panarin leads the team in scoring with 19 goals and 41 assists. Adrian Kempe has been particularly productive lately, recording five goals and six assists in the last 10 games.

The Islanders are spearheaded by Mathew Barzal, who has tallied 17 goals and 38 assists. Matthew Schaefer has also been a key contributor, scoring seven goals with three assists over the past 10 games.

Betting Odds (as of March 5, 2026)

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Kings are favored at -146 on the moneyline, while the Islanders are at +122. The over/under is set at 5.5.

• Moneyline: Kings -146, Islanders +122
• Puck Line: Islanders +1.5, Kings -1.5
• Over/Under: 5.5

Goaltending Matchup

Ilya Sorokin is expected to start for the Islanders. He has a record of 21-13-2 with a 2.53 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. Darcy Kuemper is projected to be in net for the Kings, with a 14-12-9 record, a 2.67 GAA, and a .897 SV%.

Injury Report

As of March 5, 2026, neither team has reported any injuries.

Season Series

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season. In the 2024-25 season series, the Kings won both games, with scores of 4-1 and 5-1. Both games resulted in the Under hitting on a 5.5 goal total.