Columbus Blue Jackets (44 pts) vs. Los Angeles Kings (64pts) Game Preview
The Los Angeles Kings have struggled mightily since mid-December, but of course in typical Columbus Blue Jackets fashion, they'll get a team on a three-game win streak. The Kings beat the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and Pittsburgh Penguins all on the road. But now they're at home, where they last beat the Edmonton Oilers back on the 10th of February. They're 5-3-2 in their last 10 and have won the last three. The Kings are only 9-9-6 this season at home.
The Kings are currently 4th in the Pacific, 7th in the West, and 14th in the NHL.
Keys To The Game
- Build Off Of The San Jose Win. The game against San Jose on Saturday night was not the cleanest of games, and they lost a 3-1 lead in the second period. But, they stuck with it and didn't allow the blown lead to linger around to beat them. They played tough and ended up winning a wild game with 12 seconds left in the game.
- Keep The Russian Line Going. Yegor Chinakhov, Dmitri Voronkov, and Kirill Marchenko love playing together. In the game against the Sharks, the trio had 2 goals and 2 assists, was a +6, and had 8 shots. Don't break them up.
Series History vs. The Kings
- Columbus is 10-20-3 all-time in LA, and 27-31-8 in all games.
- The Jackets are 4-2-2 in the last 8 vs. LA.
- The Blue Jackets have killed the last 16 power play chances by LA, dating back to 2018.
- The CBJ blew a 3-0 third-period lead against the Kings back on December 5th. They went on to lose in OT.
Who To Watch For The Kings
- Trevor Moore has 21 goals and 36 points this season.
- Kevin Fiala has 30 assists and 43 points on the year.
- Goalie Cam Talbot is 15-13-5 with a save % of .911. His last game was on Sunday and beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1.
- Goalie David Rittich is 8-2-3 with a save % of .919. His last game was on Saturday where the Kings beat the Boston Bruins 5-4 in OT.
- Pierre-Luc Dubois has 24 points in 53 games this season.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Kings
- Johnny Gaudreau has 36 points in 31 career games vs. the Kings.
- Jack Roslovic has 8 points in 10 games vs. LA.
- Kirill Marchenko has 3 goals in career games against the Kings.
Injuries
- Patrik Laine (clavicle fracture-Dec. 14; NHL Player Assistance Program-Jan. 28); 17 games
- Adam Fantilli (calf laceration on Jan. 28); expected to miss 8 weeks; 3 games
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 184
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on Bally Sports Ohio. As always, the legendary Jeff Rimer will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
More From THN Columbus
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.