Kings at Jets
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Kings will attempt to continue their turnaround under Darryl Sutter when they visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. Los Angeles improved to 3-0-1 since Sutter took over the team's coaching duties with a 2-0 triumph over the Blackhawks in Chicago on Wednesday as Jonathan Quick posted his league-leading fifth shutout. The Kings, who are 3-1-1 in their last five road games, take on a Winnipeg team that has excelled at the MTS Centre. The Jets have won 10 of their last 14 home contests after dropping three of their first five.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), TSN-Jets (Winnipeg)
ABOUT THE KINGS (18-14-5): LW Simon Gagne was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with an upper body injury. The 31-year-old veteran suffered the injury in Monday's 4-3 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. Gagne, who is in his first season with the Kings, has recorded seven goals and 10 assists in 34 contests but is mired in a 17-game goalless drought. G Jonathan Bernier is likely to make his seventh start of the season and first since Dec. 10. Bernier has not won since Nov. 22 at St. Louis.
ABOUT THE JETS (17-14-5): Chris Thorburn is mired in a 46-game goalless drought. The 28-year-old right wing has not tallied since March 19 at Buffalo. Bryan Little will miss his fifth consecutive game due to a bruised foot. D Dustin Byfuglien sat out his first game of the season Tuesday with a lower body injury that is believed to be knee-related. Antti Miettinen has failed to register a point in four games with the Jets after being claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on Dec. 12.
OVERTIME:
1. Los Angeles has won 14 of its last 17 games against Southeast Division opponents.
2. The Winnipeg franchise has captured four of its last six meetings with the Kings.
3. The home team has won six of the last seven games in the all-time series.