Avalanche at Kings
THE STORY: Since Darryl Sutter replaced the fired Terry Murray on Dec. 22, the Los Angeles Kings have posted an 8-1-6 mark - with nine of those contests extending past 60 minutes. The Kings will be hoping to do away with the extra work on Saturday when they host the Colorado Avalanche. With an overtime victory over Vancouver on Tuesday, Los Angeles has won just twice in its last eight games that have extended past regulation. The Kings also lost four of their last five shootouts, including a 2-1 defeat to Colorado earlier this month. The Avalanche, on the other hand, have been deadly in extra time. Colorado is 7-0 in the shootout this season and has won its last 10 dating back to last year. The latter mark is one shy of Dallas’ league record, which was set in 2005-06.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Altitude (Colorado), FSN (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (25-21-2): Colorado is coming off a 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Ryan O’Reilly scored the overtime winner and has three goals and three helpers in his last five games. He hasn’t been the only player contributing offensively. Peter Mueller scored twice on Wednesday before setting up Paul Stastny’s game-tying goal. He’s also enjoyed success against the Kings. Mueller has a goal and five assists in his last four games against Los Angeles.
ABOUT THE KINGS (23-15-10): The Kings will be looking to extend their home point streak over Colorado to seven on Saturday night. Jonathan Quick has been in goal for both losses to Colorado this season. He was 7-0-0 with two shutouts previously against the Avalanche. The All-Star netminder has been a major reason why the Kings currently sit in a playoff position in the Western Conference. The Kings’ offense has only managed 2.12 goals per game, the worst amongst Western Conference teams.
OVERTIME:
1. The Kings are 4-0-2 at home against the Avalanche since a 4-3 loss on Oct. 20, 2008.
2. Avalanche G Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 7-2-1 with a 2.25 goals-against average in his last 10 outings.
3. Los Angeles' Justin Williams has three goals and four assists in his last six games.