Back-To-Back At It. Los Angeles Kings Host St. Louis Blues in Part 2 of Home-and-Home
Thursday night the Los Angeles Kings will host the St. Louis Blues in the second game of a home-and-home between the two teams. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PST at Staples Center.
Tuesday’s game in St. Louis was won by the Blues 5-2. L.A. got out to an unusual, and early lead thanks to Marian Gaborik who netted both Kings goals. The Blues had the strong finish scoring five unanswered goals, including four in the third period.
The Kings need these two points tonight. L.A. is now in 4th place in the Pacific Division and 8th in the Western Conference with a record of 15-11-6, and 36 points. If the Kings want to play hockey in late April, they are going to have to pick it up to stay alive in the ultra-competitive West.
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Puck Prose
The Kings lineup is expected to be the same as Tuesday’s matchup:
Forwards:
Dustin Brown – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter
Marian Gaborik – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Dwight King – Mike Richards – Tanner Pearson
Kyle Clifford – Trevor Lewis – Tyler Toffoli
Defensemen:
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Alec Martinez – Robyn Regehr
Brayden McNabb – Matt Greene
Goalies:
Jonathan Quick
Martin Jones
Jonathan Quick will get the start in goal for the Kings. Quick’s last outing against the Blues was a performance to forget. Quick allowed 5 goals on 23 shots, 2 goals on the power-play, and allowed budding Blues star Vladimir Tarasenko get the better of him, scoring a hat-trick in the game. Quick had an .818 save percentage in the game. This season Quick’s has usually been around the .920-.930 mark.
Justin Williams is at the beginning of another point streak after scoring in consecutive games. Williams has 5 points in his last four games, including 2 goals. Williams is now the Kings 4th scorer with 8 goals and 17 points in 31 games.
Jaden Schwartz will be out of the Blues lineup for tonight’s game and could be out up to 2-3 weeks after suffering an injury in Tuesday’s game. T.J. Oshie will make a return to the Blues lineup after missing Tuesday’s game for personal reasons.
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Puck Prose
St. Louis Blues to keep an eye on:
Destined for the Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur is expected to start in goal for the Blues. Brodeur will be looking to extend his NHL record to 691 career wins. Brodeur is past his peak, but he’s still a terrific goaltender. Brodeur plays a reactionary style, which is different from today’s structured goalies that play a particular style: namely the butterfly. In 3 games and 2 starts this season Brodeur has a 2.64 goals against average, and a .904 save percentage.
Vladimir Tarasenko is clearly a player to watch. In Tuesday’s game preview Tarasenko was mentioned, we all know how well that worked out. Tarasenko is physical, has great hands and a laser shot. Watch him on the ice, he’s always dangerous. Look for Tarasenko to do some damage again tonight.
Hopefully tonight’s game will have a different outcome from Tuesday’s. Perhaps the Kings will surprise the fans and score a few goals on route to a victory at home.
Go Kings Go!
Dec 16, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) checks St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports