[7:09 PM] Kings @ Blue Jackets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Los Angeles Kings (16-13-2)

@ Columbus Blue Jackets (20-5-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

Peter Budaj(LAK): Likely

Curtis McElhinney(CBJ): Confirmed

 

• The Columbus Blue Jackets look to set a franchise record as they vie for their 10th consecutive victory on Tuesday when they open a four-game homestand against the Los Angeles Kings. Columbus had won nine in a row from March 18-April 4, 2015, before matching that feat on Sunday, with Sergei Bobrovsky registering his eighth straight victory and NHL-best 19th of the season in a 4-3 overtime triumph over Vancouver.

• Struggling forward Marian Gaborik hopes to return to the lineup after unceremoniously sitting out Sunday’s tilt. Fellow forward Anze Kopitar has also struggled by following up his 25-goal performance in 2015-16 with just three in 26 contests this season, although one of those tallies was against Columbus.

• Brandon Saad increased his goal total to four in his last four games by scoring twice on Sunday. The 24-year-old has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in his last 11 games and also tallied in the initial meeting with the Kings. Fellow forward Alexander Wennberg added a pair of assists against the Canucks to increase his point total to 10 (three goals, seven assists) in the past 11 contests.

• Columbus RW Cam Atkinson, who scored in the initial meeting with Los Angeles, is riding a career-high six-game point streak (four goals, six assists).

• Reigning Norris Trophy winner D Drew Doughty scored in the last meeting with the Blue Jackets and has 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 26 career encounters.

• Columbus’ top-ranked power play is 6-for-14 over the last four games heading into a tilt with Los Angeles, which has thwarted all 17 short-handed situations over the last six.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets

Confidence: 5/10

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