The Los Angeles Kings arrive on Long Island with something to prove, but Thursday night’s matchup against the New York Islanders could be particularly interesting for fantasy hockey managers. Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe are looking to build on Los Angeles’ first victory of the season, while Bo Horvat, Matthew Schaefer and Ilya Sorokin have helped make New York one of the NHL’s more intriguing early-season fantasy teams.
The Kings enter October 22 with a 1-4-2 record, compared with the Islanders’ 5-3-1 start. New York has surrendered just 19 goals through nine games, creating a difficult matchup for a Los Angeles offense averaging 2.43 goals per game.
But here’s what catches my attention: the Kings finally scored five goals against Washington on Tuesday, and their offensive talent remains capable of producing considerably more than their early record suggests.
With Quinton Byfield dealing with an upper-body injury, Kevin Fiala unavailable and Mathew Barzal also sidelined, tonight’s line combinations could create unexpected fantasy opportunities.
I’m particularly interested in whether Panarin can overcome New York’s defensive structure and whether Schaefer’s expanding offensive responsibilities give the Islanders another advantage.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Islanders Game Information
The Kings visit the Islanders at UBS Arena on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and ESPN has confirmed its U.S. streaming coverage.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Islanders Fantasy Hockey Matchup Outlook
The statistical comparison favors New York, particularly in the defensive categories that influence fantasy scoring opportunities.
Los Angeles has scored 17 goals in seven games while allowing 27. That’s an average of 2.43 goals for and 3.86 against. The Islanders have scored 27 times through nine games while surrendering only 19, producing a 3.00 goals-per-game average and 2.11 goals allowed.
The power-play numbers are closer than the records suggest. Los Angeles has converted 17.4% of its opportunities, compared with New York’s 17.9%. The real separation comes when defending shorthanded: the Islanders have killed 87.5% of opponents’ opportunities, while the Kings sit at 64.0%.
For fantasy managers, that difference changes how I evaluate the matchup. New York’s top-unit forwards have a favourable special-teams opportunity, while Los Angeles needs to generate more of its production at even strength.
The Islanders are also 4-1-0 at home, compared with a 1-1-2 road record for the Kings.
One encouraging factor for Los Angeles is its most recent game. Adrian Kempe scored twice as the Kings overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Washington 5-2 on October 20. New York, meanwhile, defeated Anaheim 3-2 that same evening.
Their previous meeting ended with Los Angeles winning 3-2 at UBS Arena on March 13, 2026. Kempe scored in that game, and Emil Heineman recorded both Islanders goals.
My takeaway: I give New York the overall matchup advantage, but I wouldn’t dismiss Kempe or Panarin simply because Los Angeles has struggled defensively.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
NHL Fantasy Players to Watch in Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Islanders
Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe: Los Angeles’ Biggest Offensive Threats
Artemi Panarin leads the Kings with seven points through seven games, including four goals. Adrian Kempe follows with six points, while Alex Laferriere has also recorded six.
Panarin’s offensive instincts make him especially valuable when Los Angeles establishes possession in the attacking zone. His ability to create scoring opportunities from the half-wall is an important part of the Kings’ power play.
Kempe offers a slightly different fantasy profile. His combination of shooting volume, speed and finishing ability makes him attractive in leagues rewarding shots on goal.
After his two-goal performance against Washington, I’m particularly interested in whether Kempe can generate another three or four shots against New York.
Laferriere is my potential sleeper. With Byfield’s availability uncertain, his responsibilities could increase, especially if Los Angeles continues using him between Panarin and Kempe.
Defensively, Brandt Clarke deserves attention. His five points and offensive involvement give him a higher ceiling than most Kings defensemen, particularly if he continues receiving meaningful power-play minutes.
Bo Horvat and Matthew Schaefer: New York’s Fantasy Advantage
Bo Horvat has produced five goals and five assists for 10 points through nine games. He leads New York in scoring and has become even more important with Mathew Barzal sidelined.
Horvat’s value comes from his scoring opportunities, faceoff responsibilities and power-play deployment. Against a Kings penalty kill struggling early in the season, I see the potential for another productive performance.
Matthew Schaefer is arguably the most interesting defenseman in this matchup.
The 19-year-old has eight points through nine games and is averaging nearly 26 minutes of ice time. His skating, shooting activity and offensive involvement provide multiple fantasy scoring opportunities.
Simon Holmstrom also deserves attention. He has four goals this season and was recently used alongside Horvat and Kyle Palmieri on New York’s top line.
I consider Holmstrom a useful short-term fantasy option if that deployment continues, particularly with New York’s injuries creating openings on the power play.
NHLTradeRumor.com Fantasy Matchup Projection
These are my estimated individual point ranges for October 22, based on player roles, recent production, matchup conditions and potential special-teams opportunities.
October 22, 2026 | Projected individual points
Elite playmaking talent and heavy offensive involvement.
High shot potential following a two-goal outing.
Puck movement, offensive-zone time and assist potential.
Favourable special-teams matchup and reliable scoring usage.
Heavy minutes, shots and offensive-zone opportunities.
Opportunity to benefit from Horvat’s playmaking and roster absences.
Projection notice: These projections assume the player dresses and receives meaningful minutes. Point ranges are editorial estimates, not guarantees. Confirm final lineups and special-teams assignments before puck drop.
Top Five Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders Fantasy Scorers for This Season
Last season’s production provides important context, but current deployment is more valuable when evaluating tonight’s matchup.
In 2025-26, the Kings’ five leading scorers were Adrian Kempe (36 goals, 37 assists, 73 points), Quinton Byfield (24-25-49), Alex Laferriere (21-23-44), Brandt Clarke (8-32-40) and Kevin Fiala (18-22-40).
New York’s leaders were Mathew Barzal (19-53-72), Matthew Schaefer (23-36-59), Bo Horvat (31-26-57), Anders Lee (19-23-42) and Simon Holmstrom (19-22-41).
The current-season scoring index below instead uses 2026-27 regular-season production entering October 22. For fantasy purposes, I pay particular attention to the changes in scoring leadership.
Panarin leads Los Angeles after joining the team during the previous season, while Schaefer has developed into one of New York’s most influential offensive players. Importantly, injured players can remain in a historical scoring index even when unavailable for tonight’s game.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
NHLTradeRumor.com Scoring Index: Each player’s point total is indexed against his team’s leading scorer. This visualization describes past production and is not a future projection. G-A-P means goals-assists-points. Players tied on points may extend beyond the five shown. Injured players remain included based on production.
Injuries and Absences That Could Affect Fantasy Value
The most important Los Angeles development involves Quinton Byfield.
The Kings centre suffered an upper-body injury against Washington and missed Wednesday’s practice. Kings coach Peter Laviolette described him as day to day, while the organization arranged for Jared Wright to rejoin the team as a precaution.
If Byfield cannot play, Los Angeles loses an important forward who helps generate offense through possession and puck protection.
That could create additional responsibility for Laferriere, Scott Laughton and other centres, depending on the coaching staff’s final line combinations.
Kevin Fiala remains on injured reserve following leg surgery, while Alex Turcotte is also listed on injured reserve. Their absences further limit Los Angeles’ forward depth.
For New York, Mathew Barzal remains sidelined with a knee injury. Alexander Romanov is recovering from a torn ACL, while Matias Maccelli and Calum Ritchie sustained lower-body injuries against Toronto.
The Islanders announced estimated absences of two to four weeks for Maccelli and four to six weeks for Ritchie.
Those injuries have implications beyond simply replacing players.
I believe Horvat becomes an even more important offensive focal point without Barzal. Holmstrom and Palmieri can benefit from higher-value assignments, while Schaefer’s power-play responsibilities remain especially significant.
Young winger Victor Eklund is another player I’m monitoring. With additional vacancies in New York’s forward group, his ice time and involvement could become increasingly relevant in deeper fantasy leagues.
There are no confirmed suspensions or holdouts central to this matchup in the sources reviewed. These reported absences concern injuries.
Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Islanders Fantasy Hockey Prediction
I’m predicting a 4-2 Islanders victory, primarily because New York has been significantly more reliable defensively and holds the stronger special-teams profile entering the game.
I expect the Kings to generate offensive opportunities, particularly through Panarin and Kempe, but sustaining that pressure against New York will be difficult.
Sorokin is also a major consideration. He enters the matchup with five wins, a .934 save percentage and a goals-against average around 1.7. That makes him my preferred fantasy goaltender if he starts.
Los Angeles has more uncertainty in goal, with Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg both possibilities. Neither starting assignment had been officially confirmed in the available morning information.
I’m expecting Horvat to be involved in at least one Islanders goal and see Schaefer as a strong candidate for an assist.
Panarin remains the Kings player I believe is most capable of disrupting this projection. A productive Los Angeles power play or a multi-point performance from its leading scorer could change the result.
What matters more than the final score? For fantasy managers, I would focus on whether Holmstrom retains first-unit power-play usage, whether Laferriere continues receiving expanded offensive responsibility and how Los Angeles distributes minutes if Byfield is unavailable. Those developments can influence fantasy value well beyond one game.
How to Watch Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Islanders
The Kings and Islanders play Thursday, October 22, 2026, at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern, 6:30 p.m. Central and 5:30 p.m. Mountain.
In Canada, the game is listed for Sportsnet+. In the United States, ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu are the confirmed streaming platforms.
Islanders radio broadcasts are available through WRHU 88.7 FM and LI News Radio 103.9 FM, along with the team’s official app. Kings audio is available through the ESPN LA app, while selected games also air on ESPN Radio 710 AM.
Regional blackout restrictions may affect some streaming subscriptions. This means that access can depend on your location, subscription and the broadcast rights for the game. Fans should verify availability with their provider shortly before puck drop.
For more coverage, visit our Los Angeles Kings TV schedule and New York Islanders TV schedule to find upcoming games and broadcasts. You can also follow the 2026–27 NHL point leaders throughout the season. While you’re here, explore our NHL Fantasy Hockey Pool to test your GM skills against other hockey fans and compete for ultimate bragging rights when entries are open.
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