Kings at Maple Leafs
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Kings probably can't wait to get home.
Fresh off their worst loss of the season, the Kings look to wrap up a
four-game road trip on a winning note as they visit the Toronto Maple
Leafs on Monday. Nothing went right for Los Angeles in its last
encounter as it fell behind 4-1 after one period on the way to an 8-2
thumping at the hands of the Detroit Red Wings. The Kings are 1-2-0 on
the trek, and have scored only four goals to slip into a tie for 29th in
the NHL in goals scored. Los Angeles has dropped five of its last six
and has scored two or fewer goals in 11 straight games. That said, the
Kings may be catching Toronto at the right time with the Maple Leafs
having dropped six of their past eight contests. Toronto surrendered 10
total goals in consecutive losses to Buffalo and Vancouver and has
allowed the fourth-most goals in the NHL.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West, Rogers Sportsnet Ontario
ABOUT THE KINGS (14-14-4):
Los Angeles can only hope the hiring of Darryl Sutter as coach might
shake up a team that has plenty of offensive talent, but isn't
producing. Team scoring leader Anze Kopitar is still looking for his
first goal in December, while captain Dustin Brown is on pace for only
15 goals after potting 28 a season ago. Sutter is expected to take over
the reins when the team returns home Tuesday.
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (16-13-3):
Toronto's defense helped guide the club to a sizzling start but has
struggled over the club's last eight games. Maple Leafs blue liners made
several critical mistakes in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the visiting
Canucks. "Our defense really struggled to move the puck and get it out
cleanly," coach Ron Wilson said immediately after the game. "We have to
solidify our back end and start making simple plays."
OVERTIME:
1. The teams have split three meetings since the
lockout. Toronto edged Los Angeles 3-2 in their previous encounter Jan.
10 in California.
2. The Maple Leafs avoided Vancouver's
league-best power play, killing off the Canucks' only man advantage
chance Saturday. Toronto ranks last on the penalty kill at 73.2 percent.