Islanders at Kings
The Los Angeles Kings struggled to produce goals during their disappointing road trip but hope to find their scoring touch when they host the New York Islanders on Thursday. Los Angeles went 1-3-0 on its trek, tallying three times in the victory but once in each loss - including Monday's 4-1 setback in Toronto.
Ilya Kovalchuk scored against the Maple Leafs, his second over six games in his return to the NHL after spending the previous five seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League in his native Russia. Alex Iafallo leads the Kings with five points after notching an assist in the loss. New York fell to 0-2-0 on its four-game road trip after dropping a 4-1 decision in Anaheim on Wednesday. Casey Cizikas tallied with 35 seconds remaining in the third period to prevent a shutout loss for the Islanders, who have been outscored 9-3 on their trek.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus (New York), FS West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (2-3-0): Cizikas (lower body) was activated from injured reserve prior to the contest but missed only one game as a result of New York's schedule, which had the team playing once over an eight-day span. Ross Johnston, who recorded three goals and three assists in 24 games last campaign, made his season debut against the Ducks and notched an assist. Reigning Calder Trophy winner Mathew Barzal was kept off the scoresheet Wednesday after registering a goal and four assists during his season-opening four-game point streak.
ABOUT THE KINGS (2-3-1): Los Angeles may receive an offensive spark from Sheldon Rempal, who was recalled from Ontario of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. The 23-year-old right wing, who has yet to make his NHL debut, leads the Reign - and all AHL rookies - with eight points and is tied for second in the league with four goals. Jonathan Quick, who has not played since the season opener because of a lower-body injury, practiced Wednesday and could be in the crease against New York.
OVERTIME
1. With two apiece, Iafallo, Kovalchuk and captain Anze Kopitar are the only members of the Kings with more than one goal.
2. New York D Luca Sbisa returned to the lineup Wednesday after sitting out two contests and blocked a shot in 15 minutes, 10 seconds of ice time.
3. Los Angeles is the only team yet to score a power-play goal this season as it has gone 0-for-21 over its first six games.