Coyotes at Kings
The Los Angeles Kings attempt to strengthen their hold on third place in the Pacific Division when they host the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Los Angeles, which is coming off a 3-0 triumph over Calgary on Monday, is even with Anaheim in points with five games remaining but owns the tiebreaker.
Captain Anze Kopitar recorded a goal and an assist versus the Flames while Jonathan Quick made 23 saves en route to his 49th career shutout as the Kings posted their third win in four home games. Arizona is hoping to escape the basement in the Western Conference, as it pulled even with Vancouver in points with Wednesday's 3-2 triumph in Vegas. Defenseman Kevin Connauton registered his first career two-goal performance to increase his season total to nine tallies, which matches the career high he set in 2014-15 with Columbus. The Coyotes are wrapping up a six-game road trip during which they've gone 3-2-0.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS Arizona Plus, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (27-39-11): Clayton Keller had his string of four straight two-point performances halted Wednesday but set up a goal to extend his career-best point streak to 10 games. The 19-year-old rookie, who leads the team with 62 points, has collected five goals and nine assists during his point streak. Derek Stepan has been blanked in back-to-back contests following a stretch of four consecutive two-point efforts.
ABOUT THE KINGS (42-28-7): Kopitar has not been kept off the scoresheet in consecutive contests since a three-game drought from Dec. 23-30, collecting 17 goals and 31 assists over his last 38 games. The 30-year-old Slovenian has set career highs in assists (54) and points (88) and needs one goal to do the same in that category as he matched the personal best of 34 he reached in 2009-10 by scoring against the Flames. Dustin Brown, who has recorded four two-point performances over his last seven contests, has registered 23 goals and 55 points - his highest totals since 2010-11, when he notched 28 and 57.
OVERTIME
1. Kings C Jeff Carter, who has notched four points during his three-game streak, is expected to play in his 900th NHL contest Thursday.
2. Arizona C Christian Dvorak, who is mired in a seven-game scoring drought, needs one goal to surpass the total of 15 he recorded as a rookie last season.
3. Los Angeles D Jake Muzzin exited the win over Calgary with an upper-body injury and is day-to-day.