Oilers at Kings
THE STORY: After finishing a four-game road trip, the Los
Angeles Kings can control their own destiny. By winning its final three
games, Los Angeles will win the Pacific Division and earn the third seed
in the Western Conference. The Kings will look to set the plan in
motion on Monday when they host the Edmonton Oilers.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, RS West (Oilers), FS Prime Ticket (Kings)
ABOUT THE OILERS (32-38-9):
Edmonton continues to collect points away from home. Teemu Hartikainen
scored his first two goals of the season as the Oilers improved to 5-0-2
in their last seven road matches with a 2-1 victory over Anaheim on
Sunday. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins notched an assist for his 51st point, tying
him with Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog for the rookie scoring lead. The
top overall pick of the 2011 draft, Nugent-Hopkins also had an assist in
Friday's 4-1 loss to Los Angeles. Devan Dubnyk, who has won four of his
last five starts, turned aside 20 shots in a 2-1 win over the Kings on
Jan. 15.
ABOUT THE KINGS (39-27-13): Brad Richardson is
filling in admirably for Jeff Carter, who is nursing an ankle injury.
Richardson tallied twice and captain Dustin Brown also scored in Los
Angeles' 4-3 shootout loss to Minnesota on Saturday. Anze Kopitar, who
has collected 21 points in his last 17 games, recorded a goal and an
assist on Friday. All-Star Jonathan Quick sat out versus Minnesota, but
turned aside 13 of 14 shots Friday to improve to 6-1-3 in his career
versus Edmonton.
OVERTIME:
1. Although its record leaves a bit to be desired,
Edmonton has given Los Angeles a tough go of it this season. The Oilers
have won two of the three meetings.
2. The Kings won't have to
leave the Golden State in their final three games. After hosting
Edmonton, Los Angeles will tangle with San Jose in a home-and-home
series.