Canucks at Kings
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Kings begin a six-game homestand Saturday when they face off against the Vancouver Canucks in a battle between Western Conference division leaders. Los Angeles, which is tied atop the Pacific with the San Jose Sharks, has won its last two home games and is 3-0-2 under new coach Darryl Sutter. The Kings have earned at least one point in seven of their last eight contests (5-1-2). Vancouver has won three straight and six of seven to move past the Minnesota Wild for the lead in the Northwest. The Canucks have been playing extremely well on the road, winning three in a row and eight of 10 (8-1-1).
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CBC (Vancouver), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (24-12-2): Defenseman Kevin Bieksa enters Saturday's contest with a five-game points streak during which he has recorded six assists. Chris Higgins was released from the hospital on Thursday but questionable on Saturday with a swollen hand that is believed to be the result of a virus. Henrik Sedin has registered at least one point in 12 of 14 games in December. The captain, who has 45 points, is tied for the league scoring lead with Philadelphia's Claude Giroux.
ABOUT THE KINGS (18-14-6): Los Angeles, which is 4-0-2 over its last six games, has lost five of its last six meetings with Northwest Division teams. Jonathan Quick is likely to be back in net after Jonathan Bernier played well in an overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. Quick is coming off his league-leading fifth shutout against the Blackhawks in Chicago the previous day. The 25-year-old has allowed three goals or less in eight consecutive games and 13 of 14.
OVERTIME:
1. Vancouver has won 22 of its last 27 games against Pacific Division opponents.
2. The Canucks are 6-1-1 in their last eight meetings with the Kings, including three straight wins, and have captured four of five in Los Angeles.