In a post on X (formerly Twitter), NHL insider Kevin Weekes wrote, "With the return of Doughty to [the Kings] lineup, [Brandt] Clarke—who leads the team in PTS by [a defenseman]—appears to be a healthy scratch tonight."

The calling card of the Kings during their championship years (2012, 2014), led by Doughty and center Anze Kopitar, was being a heavy, possession-savvy team, and their shot attempts percentage at 5-on-5 has once again been near the top of the NHL over the past four seasons: Kings’ recent SAT% percentages:

LA Kings defenceman Drew Doughty returns to the lineup for his first game of the season and will go against a struggling Panthers defence

After Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo officially pulled out from the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off on Sunday "to tend to an ailment and prepare for the remainder of the regular season," another veteran name has emerged as Team Canada's latest addition.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is nearing his long-awaited return from a preseason ankle injury and has his sights set on more than just rejoining his NHL team. With Alex Pietrangelo withdrawing from the 4 Nations Face-Off, Doughty sees an opportunity to once again represent Team Canada.

Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will make his season debut after recovering from October surgery to repair a fractured left ankle.

Drew Doughty ’s long-awaited return to the Los Angeles Kings became imminent this week. The anticipation of the future Hall of Fame defenseman’s first game this season was such that Jim Hiller brought some levity to end a downbeat media session after a one-sided loss to Pittsburgh on Monday.

Drew Doughty has been injured for several months. The Los Angeles Kings defenseman sprained his ankle on September 25.

Auston Matthews will serve as captain for the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his team is the only one involved without a glaring injury question to answer.

The Los Angeles Kings saw Drew Doughty make his 2024-25 regular season debut Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers, but the Kings fell flat and lost 3-0, their third straight loss and seventh defeat in their last nine games.

Head Coach Jim Hiller experimented with a lineup change that has long been seen as a last resort and the apparent choice to spark the offense. Kevin Fiala, a game-time decision due to illness, was paired with Quinton Byfield.