The Los Angeles Kings have an opportunity to string four-straight wins together for the first time since November, as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets at home.
It's important not to start counting your chickens before they hatch, but the Kings have a chance to build up a real head of steam this week.
They play the Jackets on Tuesday, the Nashville Predators on Wednesday and the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday, all very winnable games.
Even if they just win two of three, that would give the Kings a 6-2 record after the All-Star break, a strong pushing off point for the remainder of the season.
It is worth noting that the Kings have struggled a bit against Columbus at home recently. They're 2-4-2 in their last eight against them.
They'll have to keep an eye on Johnny Gaudreau, who's posted 36 points in 31 career games against the Kings, dating back to his time with the Calgary Flames.
The Kings have seemed to find a good balance with their lines since the return of Viktor Arvidsson, with Quinton Byfield now on Pierre-Luc Dubois' line and Kevin Fiala up on the top line.
Blake Lizotte returned with a red non-contact jersey, his first skate back with the group.
I'd expect Jaret Anderson-Dolan will slide back in on the fourth line with Arthur Kaliyev going back to the press box.
I also expect Jordan Spence to return to the lineup tonight.
Cam Talbot looks to be the starter, meaning he'll get back-to-back starts.
Projected Los Angeles Kings Lines:
Forwards:
Kevin Fiala - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore - Phil Danault - Viktor Arvidsson
Alex Laferriere - Pierre-Luc Dubois - Quinton Byfield
Jaret Anderson-Dolan - Alex Turcotte - Trevor Lewis
Defense:
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Vladislav Gavrikov - Matt Roy
Andreas Englund - Jordan Spence
Goalies:
Cam Talbot
David Rittich
Projected Columbus Blue Jackets Lines:
Forwards:
Johnny Gaudreau – Boone Jenner – Jack Roslovic
Yegor Chinakhov – Dmitri Voronkov – Kirill Marchenko
Kent Johnson – Cole Sillinger – Emil Bemstrom
Alexandre Texier – Sean Kuraly – Justin Danforth
Defense:
Zach Werenski – Adam Boqvist
Ivan Provorov – Damon Severson
Jake Bean – Erik Gudbranson
Goalies:
Elvis Merzlikins