Golden Knights top Kings 6-4 at Crypto.com Arena

The golden knights beat the Los Angeles Kings, 6-4, at Crypto. com Arena on February 25, 2026, capping a high-scoring matchup that had been scheduled for a 10 p. m. ET start. The result left both teams with lineup questions going into their next games.

Game result and key details from Los Angeles

Vegas finished with a 6-4 victory over the Kings at Crypto. com Arena on Feb. 25, 2026, a four-goal performance that decided the matchup slated for 10 p. m. ET. The final score was the headline outcome; Los Angeles fell despite multiple chances and late pressure from its top lines.

Golden Knights projected lines and roster moves

Projected forwards included Ivan Barbashev, Tomas Hertl and Keegan Kolesar on one line, with Reilly Smith, Tanner Laczynski and Pavel Dorofeyev on another line. Several players were scratched prior to the game: Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, Mark Stone and Mitch Marner. McNabb (upper body, 19 games missed), Saad (undisclosed, 15 games missed) and Sissons (upper body, 12 games missed) were activated off injured reserve on Tuesday, while Howden remained out after missing 14 games and had resumed skating on his own.

Kings lineup changes and Panarin’s arrival

The Kings’ projected top trios listed Quinton Byfield with Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore, and Artemi Panarin alongside Alex Laferriere and Adrian Kempe. Panarin was set to make his Kings debut after being acquired in a trade on Feb. 4 and had not played since Jan. 26 because of roster management ahead of that trade. Anderson (upper body, two games missed) and Alex Turcotte (upper body, six games missed) were activated off injured reserve and were expected to play in the matchup.

Odds, prediction and what followed

Pre-game odds had the Golden Knights at +1. 5 on the spread with an Over/Under of 5. 5; a common pre-game prediction listed a score projection of Kings 4, Golden Knights 3. The actual final score of 6-4 exceeded that forecast and pushed the total beyond the O/U line set before the Feb. 25, 2026 game.

Looking ahead, Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, each ruled out after participating in the Olympics, were expected to be available at the Washington Capitals on Friday; that availability is the next confirmed milestone tied to roster changes following the Feb. 25, 2026 matchup.