Kings at Hurricanes
The Los Angeles Kings snapped a four-game losing skid in their last outing and will look to prevent the Carolina Hurricanes from doing the same on Thursday at PNC Arena. Carolina has been outscored by a disastrous 20-5 margin during its current slide, but it improved to 3-0-1 in its last four meetings with Los Angeles after posting a 3-1 victory on Dec 8.
Cam Ward made 21 saves in the win against the Kings last month and owns a 13-4-1 mark at home this season, but the veteran has been shredded for 17 goals in his last three starts - and was responsible for each tally surrendered in a 6-1 setback at Washington on Monday. "We want to go into the All-Star break with a good taste in our mouth and be able to enjoy the All-Star break, then come back and re-set," coach Bill Peters told the Raleigh News & Observer of the team's plans to rebound. Los Angeles is the host city for the NHL's showcase event this weekend, with veteran Jeff Carter and defenseman Drew Doughty representing the team. Carter notched a pair of assists in Tuesday's 3-1 win at New Jersey to increase his point total to 19 (10 goals, nine assists) in the past 17 contests while Doughty also set up a goal to extend his point streak to three games (one goal, three assists).
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Southeast (Carolina)
ABOUT THE KINGS (23-21-4): Veteran Peter Budaj has done his best to keep his team afloat in the Pacific Division with franchise goaltender Jonathan Quick expected to be sidelined until at least March. The 34-year-old Budaj turned aside 24 shots against the Devils, has allowed just 12 goals in his last six outings and owns a .931 save percentage in his past 16 starts. "The bottom line is that he's found ways to win, he's gotten better and better each game and realized the work that's needed to be put in for him to be successful," Los Angeles goaltending coach Bill Ranford said of Budaj.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (21-19-7): Jordan Staal scored in the first encounter with the Kings and also drew first blood against Washington with a power-play goal before the floodgates opened up. "We've got to find a way to dig deep and give it a strong effort before the break," Staal told the Raleigh News & Observer. Carolina is making inroads on improving its 23rd-ranked power play, as it has scored in back-to-back games with the man advantage after a dismal 1-for-36 performance in the previous 15 games.
OVERTIME
1. Los Angeles C Anze Kopitar has shown signs of pulling himself out of his career worst season by recording 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his last 10 games.
2. Carolina LW Jeff Skinner, who leads the team in goals (17) and points (35), has been held off the scoresheet in five straight games.
3. Kings LW Tanner Pearson has scored six of his 15 goals in January.