The five-game Western Conference road trip continues for the Los Angeles Kings (2-3-2) on Thursday night in the Central Division against the Dallas Stars (3-3-0) on the road in the Lone Star State late this week. For the first time this regular season, the Kings will face the Stars on the road in Dallas.
Los Angeles Kings will face the Dallas Stars on the road for the first time this season on Thursday night
Jim Hiller and the Kings got a crucial momentum-building win this past Tuesday (Oct. 21) against the St. Louis Blues on the road in Missouri to kick off this five-game road trip in the West this week, by a score of 2-1 in overtime.
This past Tuesday was the Kings' first non-shootout win of the regular season, thanks to a nice one-timer goal in overtime from winger Adrian Kempe on the 4-on-3 power play.
The Kings are 2-4-0 in the past two seasons against the Stars in the regular season.
This game could be another battle of the goalies tonight between Jake Oettinger of the Stars and Darcy Kuemper for the Kings in net.
Here are three bold predictions for the Kings vs. Stars on the road at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Oct. 23.
Corey Perry scores 2 goals vs. Dallas, including one on the power play
Corey Perry made his season debut for the Kings earlier this week in the overtime win against the Blues in St. Louis on Oct. 21. Getting Perry back in the lineup gives the Kings more depth and proven veteran leadership in the locker room and with the fourth-line forward group early this regular season for LA.
The Kings' fourth line ranks third on the team in expected goals for at even strength at 5-on-5 early this regular season (per Money Puck).
"You guys saw him play. I thought he was dangerous, as dangerous as anybody up front. The intangible stuff, it’s just good to have him around, he’s a winner, and so that rubs off. I didn’t think I would play him. I think he played close to 15 minutes tonight, running three late, and he was out there. To me, it was a pretty amazing performance for the first time."Jim Hiller on Corey Perry
The Stars are one of fewer than a half dozen teams that Perry has scored over 20 goals and 50 total points against. Getting Perry back in the mix on the Kings' fourth line is a crucial veteran depth part of this forward group in this five-game road trip in the West.
Kevin Fiala scores the Kings' first game-winning goal in regulation early this season
Kevin Fiala assisted Kempe on the power play on special teams in the Kings' game-winning goal in overtime this past Tuesday against the Blues. The assist was actually Fiala's first career helper with the Kings on a game-winning goal in overtime.
Fiala has helped the Kings with multiple points and two assists in the team's two road wins early this regular season this fall.
Speaking of players who have scored double-digit goals against the Stars, Fiala has been successful in the offensive zone consistently scoring the puck against Dallas in his career in the league. Fiala has scored nearly a dozen goals and 22 total points against the Stars in his career in the NHL.
He's scored the puck in a number of different ways against the Stars. Dallas is the only team Fiala has scored at least three power play goals and one shorthanded goal against.
Kings only take one penalty
Special teams will be critical on the road tonight against the Stars in Dallas. The Kings have already scored a shorthanded goal early this regular season.
LA won the game this past Tuesday night on the road against the Blues with a clutch overtime goal with the 4-on-3 man advantage power play from Kempe. Special teams have been a huge factor for the Kings this season.
Hiller and the Kings have been hampered by discipline issues and untimely penalties called early this regular season this fall. The Kings rank fourth in the NHL in penalty kill minutes early this regular season.
The Kings have only allowed one goal on the penalty kill on special teams in the past two games against the Blues this past Tuesday night and the Carolina Hurricanes at home last Saturday night.