2026 Rookie Faceoff Preview - Game 3, LAK vs. UTA

The LA Kings conclude the 2026 Rookie Faceoff this afternoon, after picking up their first victory on Sunday over Anaheim. Here's what you need to know ahead of Game 3 this evening against the Utah Mammoth -

When: Tuesday, September 15 @ 1:00 PM PST
Where: Tech CU Arena, Orange Rink - San Jose, CA

Watch: SLVR, LAKings.com

5️⃣ Things To Know For Today's Game

1. With a record of 1-1, the Kings will play their final rookie game here this afternoon, playing against the Utah Mammoth.
2. Every Kings skater on the Rookie Faceoff roster has played in at least one game thus far. Expecting to see four changes to the lineup from the group that defeated Anaheim. Included in that are three defensemen - Adam Goljer, Kirill Kirsanov and Otto Salin - who are expected to check back into the lineup for their respective second games of the showcase event. 
3. The Kings got multi-goal games from forwards Liam Lefebvre and Koehn Ziemmer during Sunday's victory. Ziemmer scored the first two goals of the game, as the Kings opened up a 2-0 lead, before Lefebvre scored twice in the third period to seal the 4-1 win. Ziemmer also scored twice at the 2025 Rookie Faceoff, while Lefebvre's goals came in his first season of participation. 
4. The biggest unknown for today is the team's goaltending situation. 2026 third-round selection Yegor Rybkin has yet to play in the tournament, so he could feature today, but there could also be a chance we see Carter George and Hampton Slukynsky split the game. 
5. After today's game, the team will return to Los Angeles to prepare for NHL Training Camp. The Kings get underway on Thursday, September 17, with several players from the Rookie Faceoff roster expected to participate. The Kings will begin their NHL preseason schedule on Saturday, September 19 against the Vegas Golden Knights at Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA, home of the Ontario Reign.

Today's Projected 👑 Game Group ⬇️

Forwards (12) – Jan Chovan, Vojtech Cihar, Kenny Connors, Brendan Gorman, Jack Hughes, Kenta Isogai, Liam Lefebvre, Jimmy Lombardi, Elias Schneider, Grant Slukynsky, Jared Wright, Koehn Ziemmer

Defensemen (7) – Lucas Ambrosio, Henry Brzustewicz, Nate Corbet, Adam Goljer, Michael Mastrodomenico, Giorgos Pantelas, Jared Woolley

Goaltenders (2) – Carter George, Hampton Slukynsky

Players to Watch

Kings - Jared Wright: Wright brings 27 games of NHL experience between the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, having collected four assists with the Kings during the 2025-26 season. Wright also scored 17 goals with the AHL's Ontario Reign and is an alternate captain for Los Angeles at the Rookie Faceoff. 

Mammoth - Daniil But: But is the most experienced forward on the roster for Utah, having collected seven points (3-4-7) in 29 NHL games played as a rookie last season with the Mammoth. The 6-5 forward was selected 12th overall at the 2023 NHL Draft and also had 39 points in 41 games played with the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners. 

For a full game preview of today's action, as well as coverage of the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, visit LAKingsInsider.com.