Kings at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Kings find themselves in a battle for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference, tied at 74 points with San Jose and Colorado, Los Angeles, which has won four of its last five, doesn't get much of a reprieve Thursday against a Columbus Blue team riding a three-game winning streak. The Kings are 2-1 against Columbus this season and has won five of their last six meetings.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FOX West 2, FXSO.
ABOUT THE KINGS (31-23-12): A sudden scoring spark in Los Angeles could make the Kings a very dangerous team down the stretch. They've been one of the best defensive sides in the league all season - led by Vezina contender Jonathan Quick - but have struggled to find the net. However, L.A. is scoring with ease during this recent winning run, netting five goals in a victory over Nashville and averaging 3.6 goals over that five-game span. Winger Dustin Brown is the catalyst for the turnaround, scoring six goals in his last seven outings.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (21-38-7): The smoke has settled on the NHL trade deadline, allowing the Blue Jackets and star winger Rick Nash to get back to focusing on hockey. Nash, who was expected to move during the deadline, remains in Columbus and has helped the Jackets pick up their first three-game winning streak of the season. Also making a difference during that streak is newcomer Jack Johnson, who has a goal and two assists in his last two games.
OVERTIME:
1. Johnson will face his former team for the first time since being dealt for Jeff Carter during the deadline. He played five full seasons in Los Angeles.
2. The Blue Jackets haven't won four in a row since putting together a five-game winning streak in late November 2010.
3. Los Angeles killed all three Nashville power plays Tuesday and has extinguished 18 consecutive penalties.