Kings at Canucks
A three-game losing streak (0-2-1) has put a damper on the playoff hopes of the Vancouver Canucks, who face three straight games against top Western Conference contenders beginning with Saturday's night's matchup against the visiting Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks trail Phoenix by seven points for the final wild-card slot and have rugged tests looming against Anaheim and Colorado. One plus is the possible return of captain Henrik Sedin following a four-game injury absence.
Los Angeles, which is all but locked into the No. 6 seed in the West, has won seven of its last nine games despite a 2-1 setback at San Jose on Thursday night that kicked off a four-game road trip. The Kings had won eight straight away from home before falling to the Sharks and have had their way with the Canucks this season, winning all four matchups. Los Angeles has suffocated Vancouver's struggling offense, permitting a total of four goals in the four games.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), CBC (Vancouver)
ABOUT THE KINGS (45-27-6): Stud defenseman Drew Doughty was forced to exit Thursday's game due to a shoulder injury and did not participate in Friday's optional practice, although coach Darryl Sutter said there's a chance he could play. "Obviously it's too bad, but we have lot of guys that can step up here and kind of play some more minutes and help the team. That's what I think," fellow blue-liner Jake Muzzin said. Another defenseman, Alec Martinez, has provided a steady stream of offense with seven goals and eight assists in his last 17 games.
ABOUT THE CANUCKS (34-32-11): Vancouver is the lowest-scoring team in the Western Conference and has managed only four goals during the three-game skid, so the return of Sedin can't come soon enough. "He's one of our best players, he's our captain so it's always good to get him back in," beleaguered coach John Tortorella said. "I think it strengthens us up the middle for sure." Rookie Eddie Lack, who inherited the starting goaltending job when Roberto Luongo was dealt to Florida at the trade deadline, has made 17 consecutive starts.
OVERTIME
1. Kings G Jonathan Quick has won only twice in nine starts in Vancouver.
2. Sedin had five points in four games before sustaining an injury to his left leg.
3. Los Angeles needs one victory to tie the franchise record of 46 wins in a season.