Blues at Kings
The Los Angeles Kings continue their five-game homestand when they host the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Los Angeles kicked off its stretch of home games Monday as Jeff Carter recorded a natural hat trick in a 5-1 triumph over the Nashville Predators. The Kings registered only six shots over the first two periods and entered the third with a 1-0 lead before erupting for four goals in a span of just over six minutes.
St. Louis is coming off a 4-1 loss to the Stars in Dallas on Sunday that began its five-game road trip. The Blues jumped out to a lead 4:20 into the contest but allowed four unanswered goals en route to their fourth loss in six games (2-3-1). St. Louis is looking to avenge a 4-1 defeat at home on Feb. 11 in which Carter scored twice.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN West (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE BLUES (11-8-2): Kevin Shattenkirk recorded an assist Sunday, giving him the team lead with 17 points. The defenseman had been tied with Alex Steen, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury that landed him on injured reserve. He was hurt during practice last Tuesday. With Steen, Andy McDonald (knee), Jamie Langenbrunner (hip) and rookie Vladimir Tarasenko (concussion) all on IR, the Blues are entertaining the idea of re-signing Jason Arnott. The 38-year-old veteran has joined the team on its road trip and will be skating with the club in practices. Arnott recorded 17 goals and 17 assists in 72 games with St. Louis last season but was not re-signed. He inked a one-year deal with the New York Rangers in January but failed his physical.
ABOUT THE KINGS (11-7-2): Carter tallied 5 1/2 minutes into the second period, then scored goals 19 seconds apart early in the third to complete his fifth career hat trick. He has recorded 10 goals in his last 10 games. "He's been unbelievable for us and he's scoring some big goals," Kings goaltender Jonathan Bernier told reporters. "We need a guy like that who takes over, and he's doing that right now." Carter's second goal of the night was his fifth game-winner of the season, tying him with Pittsburgh's James Neal for the league lead. Defenseman Alec Martinez returned to the lineup Monday after missing eight games with an upper-body injury and finished plus-1 in just over 14 minutes of ice time.
OVERTIME
1. Los Angeles has allowed three goals or less in 12 of its last 13 games.
2. Including the playoffs, Los Angeles has won six straight meetings with St. Louis and eight of nine.
3. The Kings have won six of their last seven contests.
PREDICTION: Blues 3, Kings 2