[8:30 PM] Kings @ Stars

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Kings (16-13-3)

@ Dallas Stars (13-14-7)

 

Starting Goalies:

Peter Budaj(LAK): Unconfirmed

Kari Lehtonen(DAL): Likely

 

• The Dallas Stars reside on the outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference and, surprisingly, one of the biggest reasons is an inconsistent offense. The Stars led the league in scoring in 2015-16, but goals have been harder to come by this season as they prepare to host the stingy Los Angeles Kings on Friday.

• Peter Budaj continued his strong play Thursday, making 28 saves en route to his second shutout on the road trip and fourth this season while captain Anze Kopitar notched his 700th career point. A major part of why Los Angeles has limited teams this month is its penalty kill, which has gone 22-for-22 over the last eight games after yielding a pair of goals in two consecutive contests. Tyler Toffoli (lower body), who is second on the team in scoring with 20 points (eight goals), sat out Thursday’s contest and is considered day-to-day.

• Leading scorer Tyler Seguin (32 points) has gone six games without a goal while captain Jamie Benn (28) has posted just one point in his last three contests. Antti Niemi has stepped up to start the last four games, allowing a total of just seven goals as the Stars registered five points (2-1-1). Defensemen Stephen Johns and Johnny Oduya reportedly were back on the ice for practice Thursday after missing the previous day’s workout while forward Antoine Roussel was held out with an undisclosed injury and is questionable.

• Dallas C Cody Eakin will serve the third contest of a four-game suspension for his illegal hit on New York Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist.

• Los Angeles RW Dustin Brown returned to the lineup Thursday after missing the previous two contests and notched his third assist in three games.

• The Kings have won three of the last four meetings, including a 4-3 overtime triumph in Dallas on Oct. 20.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Los Angeles Kings

Confidence: 4/10

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