The Freeway Faceoff is back. If you’re trying to figure out what time do the Kings play tonight, you better clear your schedule for some late-night West Coast hockey. The Los Angeles Kings are heading down the I-5 to take on their rivals, the Anaheim Ducks, at the Honda Center. This isn't just another mid-January game; it's a battle for Pacific Division positioning in a season where every single point feels like a landslide victory or a total disaster.
Puck Drop and Broadcast Details
So, let’s get straight to the point. What time do the Kings play tonight?
The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM PST (10:00 PM EST) on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
If you aren't heading down to Orange County to see the sea of purple and gold take over the Honda Center, you'll be watching from the couch. Unlike the old days when you could just flip through local cable, tonight is an ESPN+ exclusive broadcast. If you have Fubo, you might be able to catch a regional stream depending on your blackout rules, but honestly, the most reliable bet for this one is the ESPN app.
For the radio crowd, you’ve got the usual suspects. You can catch the call on the LA Kings iHeartRadio station or the Tu Liga Radio stream if you prefer the Spanish broadcast.
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Why This Game Matters Right Now
The Kings are sitting at 19-16-11. That's a lot of overtime losses, which tells you two things: they’re hard to beat in regulation, but they struggle to close the door. They’re currently 10th in the Western Conference, hovering right on that bubble where every game feels like a playoff preview.
Meanwhile, the Ducks are right behind them at 11th. It’s tight.
- The Goals Problem: LA is 29th in goals scored. Yeah, it’s been a struggle to find the back of the net.
- The Defense Wall: On the flip side, they are 4th in the league for goals allowed. Darcy Kuemper has been a literal wall, keeping them in games they probably have no business being in.
- Special Teams Woes: Both teams have power plays that are... well, let's call them "works in progress." Both are ranked in the bottom five of the league.
Players to Keep an Eye On
Adrian Kempe is the engine for this Kings team. He’s leading the squad with 36 points and has this uncanny ability to turn a nothing-play into a breakaway. If the Kings are going to win tonight, it’s probably because Kempe found a gap in the Ducks' defense, which, to be fair, is currently ranked 32nd in the league.
Kevin Fiala is another one. He’s got 17 goals and 16 assists. When he’s on, he’s one of the most electric players in the league. When he’s off, he tends to take those "frustration penalties" that drive fans crazy.
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On the Anaheim side, watch out for Leo Carlsson. The kid is living up to the hype with 43 points in 44 games. He’s the type of player who makes veteran defenders look like they’re skating in sand.
The Strategy: How the Kings Win
To beat the Ducks tonight, the Kings have to exploit Anaheim’s defensive lapses. The Ducks give up a ton of shots—they’re 22nd in shots allowed. LA needs to stop being so picky with their shot selection.
Basically, they need to stop looking for the perfect cross-crease pass and just start throwing rubber at the net. With the Ducks' goals-against average sitting at 3.67, someone is bound to get a greasy rebound goal.
What About the Sacramento Kings?
A lot of people ask about the "Kings" and forget we’ve got a world-class NBA team up north too. If you’re looking for the Sacramento Kings, they actually played last night (Friday) against the Washington Wizards at the Golden 1 Center.
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They don't play tonight, January 17. They’re currently traveling or resting up before they host the Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, at 6:00 PM PST. So, if you were hoping for a Kings basketball/hockey double-header today, you're out of luck. Tonight is strictly an ice hockey affair.
Final Logistics for Fans
If you're driving to the Honda Center, give yourself an extra hour. Saturday night traffic in Southern California is a nightmare even without a rivalry game.
- Parking: Expect to pay $25-$40 depending on how close you want to be.
- Streaming: Make sure your ESPN+ login actually works before 7:00 PM. Nothing ruins a game like a password reset loop during the first period.
- Apparel: It’s a road game, but Kings fans usually travel well to Anaheim. Wear the jersey.
The Kings need these two points desperately to stay alive in the wild-card race. With the way the standings look in 2026, a loss tonight could be the difference between a playoff spot and an early summer.
Check your local listings if you're out of state, but for most of us, 7:00 PM is the magic number. Go Kings Go.
Log into your streaming service ten minutes early to ensure the broadcast is available in your region. Verify your subscription status to avoid missing the opening puck drop at 7:00 PM PST.