Kings at Oilers
The Los Angeles Kings hope to end their marathon of a road trip on a winning note when they wrap up the nine-game trek against the Pacific Division-rival Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. Los Angeles dropped to 3-3-2 on the lengthy excursion with Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Vancouver, which halted its three-game point streak (1-0-2).
Tanner Pearson helped the Kings avoid being shut out late in the third period with his first goal since Nov. 19, ending a 15-game drought. Edmonton returns to action after an expanded five-game holiday break looking to extend its point streak to five contests. The Oilers moved to 3-0-1 on Friday as they concluded their three-game road trip with a 3-2 overtime loss in San Jose. Super sophomore Connor McDavid shares the NHL scoring lead with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby at 42 points despite registering only a goal and three assists over his last seven contests.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), Sportsnet West (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE KINGS (17-14-4): Jeff Carter notched an assist Wednesday for his team-leading 30th point but had his three-game goal-scoring streak — during which he tallied five times — come to an end. The veteran forward, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday Sunday, needs one tally to reach the 20-goal plateau for the 10th consecutive season and the 11th of his career. Tyler Toffoli ranks second on the Kings in scoring with 20 points but has missed three straight games with a lower-body injury and is expected to be sidelined at least another week after being placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
ABOUT THE OILERS (18-12-6): Edmonton could be without Andrej Sekera when it faces his former team as the 30-year-old Slovakian, who leads all Oilers defensemen with 17 points, missed Wednesday's practice with an illness. "He reported back (from the holiday break) and he's not feeling well," coach Todd McLellan told the team's website. "A little under the weather with the flu or whatever it might be. ... We'll see how he is (Thursday) morning." Cam Talbot, who went 2-0-1 with a .926 save percentage last week to earn the NHL's Third Star of the Week honors, should be well-rested after appearing in 32 of Edmonton's 36 games prior to the break.
OVERTIME
1. Kings D Brayden McNabb sat out Wednesday's loss despite being medically cleared to return from the broken collarbone he suffered Oct. 29.
2. Oilers C Leon Draisaitl leads the team with 14 goals but has tallied just once in his last six games.
3. Carter, Toffoli and D Derek Forbort each recorded a goal and an assist Nov. 17 as Los Angeles posted a 4-2 home victory over Edmonton.