Kings at Stars
The Los Angeles Kings are banking that a closed-door meeting will lead to opening the doors to success on Tuesday when they begin a two-game road trip against the Dallas Stars. The Kings have been outscored 21-5 during their four-game losing skid, including 12-3 on a homestand that saw lopsided setbacks to the New York Islanders and Buffalo.
"When things have been going wrong, a bad bounce here or there, things have been going south. ... You got to work to get the luck back on your side, and we haven't done enough working and competing," said defenseman Drew Doughty, who scored in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Sabres. Former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick has struggled in his return from a lower-body injury with 10 goals allowed on 54 shots heading into Tuesday's tilt versus Dallas, against which he sports a 17-10-2 mark with two shutouts in 29 career appearances. The Stars have cooled considerably since winning three of four to start the season, getting outscored 10-2 during their three-game losing skid. "As a coach, you got to be consistent. You've got to focus on what you believe," Dallas coach Jim Montgomery told reporters after practice Monday. "Then, you got to practice and play to your team identity."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, KCOP13 (Los Angeles), FS Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE KINGS (2-5-1): Los Angeles' offense is scoring just 1.88 goals per game to reside second-worst in the league (Arizona, 1.43) and a punchless power play (3-for-28) isn't doing the club any favors, either. "It's the work and the fight to get the puck," coach John Stevens told reporters. "You can talk about scoring all you want, you need the puck to do that. And for two periods (Saturday), all we did was chase it. We've gotta get to work." The Kings' calling card over the years has been their defense, but the club has been gashed for 3.50 goals per contest this season.
ABOUT THE STARS (3-4-0): Jason Spezza, who scored his team's lone goal in Friday's 3-1 setback to Minnesota, knows points are at a premium considering the fast start of some of the other clubs in the Central Division. "We're learning, but in the meantime, we have to be sure we're getting points and winning games when we can, especially with six games on the road coming up," the 35-year-old Spezza told the media. "That's no small task. Let's be honest, these next two home games are big to set that up." Dallas could receive a boost with the potential return of forward Alexander Radulov, who missed Friday's contest with a lower-body injury.
OVERTIME
1. Dallas C Tyler Seguin has been held off the scoresheet in three straight contests after collecting three goals and seven assists in his previous three.
2. Kings F Alex Iafallo, who is riding a career high-tying three-game assist streak, has set up a team-leading five goals and owns a club-best seven points.
3. Dallas reached out on Monday to Texas of the American Hockey League and recalled C Justin Dowling, who had recorded two goals and four assists in seven games.