Penguins at Kings
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Kings simply need to find ways to put the puck in the net. Their inability to do so of late has resulted in three straight defeats. As stellar as Jonathan Quick has been between the pipes, the Kings have scored just 26 times this season, second-fewest in the Western Conference. They could be in for a slump-busting performance during Saturday night’s game against Pittsburgh at Staples Center. Scoring hasn’t been an issue for the Penguins, it’s been the defense that’s haunted them. Pittsburgh is fresh off two straight losses in which the team has allowed a pair of third-period goals in each of the setbacks. The Penguins will have to make do without blue-liner Ben Lovejoy, who is out after breaking his wrist Thursday.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FOX PITT, FOX WEST.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (8-3-3): With Sidney Crosby (concussion) still on the mend, Evgeni Malkin is starting to get things going. Malkin has already missed seven games because of injuries but has three goals and three assists in his last three outings. The 25-year-old Russian has been dominant in three career meetings against the Kings, scoring five goals and a pair of assists in the three victories.
ABOUT THE KINGS (6-4-2): Following a hot start that saw the Kings post wins in five of seven games, the team has scuffled to a 1-3-1 mark since. They have just four goals in those four losses. "It would be one thing if we had glorious opportunity after glorious opportunity," said defenseman Jack Johnson, who is without a point in the past five contests. "But that's the trouble, because it doesn't seem like that's really the case.”
OVERTIME:
1. Penguins center Jordan Staal remains questionable for the contest. Staal, who is second on club with six goals, has missed two games with an undisclosed leg injury but says he’s feeling better.
2. Quick has become an intimidating presence in net, particularly at home where he is 3-1-0 with a 1.23 goals-against average this season.