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Kings hit with disappointing Mats Zuccarello injury update after slow start
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- Kings hit with disappointing Mats Zuccarello injury update after slow start
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It's been a challenging opening to the 2026-27 NHL season for the winless Los Angeles Kings — and things won't get any easier without offseason addition Mats Zuccarello .
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The 39-year-old forward is considered week-to-week due to an undisclosed injury, per NHL.com's latest Status Report.
Zuccarello missed two days of practice after seeing a shade over 17 minutes of ice time during Tuesday night's 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.
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That defeat continued a frustrating start for LA, which has lost each of its first three games. The Kings were crushed 8-4 by the Colorado Avalanche before falling to the San Jose Sharks and Panthers.
Keeping the puck out of their net has been an issue, with the club surrendering 15 goals in those three losses while scoring nine times. Zuccarello recorded one assist in that span, along with a plus-one rating.
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The Norwegian had been skating on the second line before the injury. He also suffered a shoulder injury before training camp, although it's unclear whether his latest issue is related.
Zuccarello signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Kings on July 1 after spending the last seven seasons with the Minnesota Wild. He recorded 54 points in 59 games in 2025-26, and the hope was that he could help replace some of the offense lost following Anze Kopitar's retirement.
His absence leaves Los Angeles without another experienced playmaker as the club searches for its first victory.
Meanwhile, Alex Turcotte is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. He also managed an assist in three games while centering the second line, leaving the Kings with more uncertainty in their forward group.
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The top line of Artemi Panarin, Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield remains intact and has combined for seven points in three games. LA will need that trio to help generate more offense while its depth is tested.
The Kings will look to enter the win column against the defending Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights on the Strip on Saturday night.
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Puck drop at T-Mobile Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles will be back home next week for games against the visiting Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday and Boston Bruins on Saturday.
