Sharks at Kings
The Los Angeles Kings began 2017-18 with a seven-game unbeaten streak at home (5-0-2) before suffering their first regulation defeat at Staples Center in the opener of a five-game homestand. Los Angeles hopes to avoid its first losing streak of the season when it hosts the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.
The Kings dropped a 5-2 decision to Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing four goals in a 2:02 span midway through the first period and never recovering. Tyler Toffoli scored his eighth of the season in the setback, tying captain Anze Kopitar for the team lead while extending his point streak to four games (three goals, two assists). San Jose is taking a short break from a stretch dominated by home contests as it looks to avenge a loss to visiting Los Angeles on Oct. 7. The Sharks completed a 4-1-0 homestand with Saturday's 5-0 triumph over Vancouver and return to SAP Center for three more contests after their meeting with the Kings.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN California (San Jose), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE SHARKS (9-6-0): San Jose entered Saturday's contest without a short-handed goal this season and exited with three, including two in the final 39 seconds by Chris Tierney. The 23-year-old center doubled his goal total for the season while Logan Couture also tallied twice, giving him a team-leading 10 goals in 15 contests this campaign. Tomas Hertl halted his nine-game goal-scoring drought Saturday and added a pair of assists for his second multi-point performance of the season.
ABOUT THE KINGS (11-3-2): Oscar Fantenberg had a night to remember Thursday as he scored his first goal in 13 NHL games. The 26-year-old Swedish defenseman had gone five contests without a point after posting a four-game assist streak. Kopitar, who leads the team with 20 points, is riding a seven-game streak during which he has collected two goals and seven assists.
OVERTIME
1. Kings D Derek Forbort is the lone member of the team who has appeared in all 16 games and not scored a goal.
2. San Jose C Joe Thornton is one assist away from tying Joe Sakic (1,016) for 12th place on the all-time list.
3. Los Angeles C Adrian Kempe missed Thursday's game because of an illness and is day-to-day.