Kings to play twice at T-Mobile Arena, host NHL All-Star Game next season
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Saturday was a big day for the Los Angeles Kings' organization and their fans in Las Vegas.
The NHL announced that the Kings will host the 2017 All-Star Game at Staples Center as part of the team's 50th anniversary season. And then Luc Robitaille, the team's president of business operations, confirmed that the Kings will play two preseason games in October at the new T-Mobile Arena.
According to Robitaille, the Kings will face the Dallas Stars on Oct. 7, then play the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 8 in their annual Frozen Fury matchup. The Kings and Avs have played 16 times at the MGM Grand Garden.
But with the move across the street to T-Mobile Arena, more fans will be able to attend. T-Mobile will seat 17,500 for hockey; the Grand Garden seated about 12,000.
"We thought it would be great for our fans to play two games," Robitaille said. "We're excited and honored to be playing the first hockey games in the new building. I've seen it, and it's going to be a spectacular place for the fans. For our players, it's going to be fun."
The Kings will host the NHL All-Star Game for the third time. The NHL visited Staples Center in 2002, and the game was played at The Forum in 1981. The dates for the 2017 game will be Jan. 28 and 29.
— Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.
