Kings-Panthers Preview
Share This Story
The Los Angeles Kings and Florida Panthers are fighting for postseason spots in their respective conferences. If recent history is any indication, Los Angeles seems likely to come out of this next matchup in better shape.
The Kings seek their eighth consecutive victory over the Panthers on Thursday night in Sunrise, Fla.
Los Angeles (26-18-10) kept its hold on seventh place in the Western Conference with a 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay on Tuesday, winning for the first time in three tries on its six-game road trip.
The Kings fell 1-0 to St. Louis on Friday and 2-1 to Carolina on Saturday. They've scored one or no goals five times over their last nine games, though they've managed to go 4-3-2 in that span.
Los Angeles is 15-0-1 when scoring at least three goals.
''Guys are really bearing down, and as a team we want to score more goals,'' said left wing Kyle Clifford, who scored Tuesday. ''Our goaltenders and our defensive game have really kept us in most games, and we just want to try to improve on our offensive game. So we're just trying to bury as many chances as we can.''
The Kings are the NHL's lowest-scoring team with 118 goals, but Jonathan Quick's stellar play in net has helped them remain a playoff contender. He made 24 saves Tuesday and has posted a 1.37 goals-against average in going 8-3-4 in his last 15 starts.
''Usually when we do get three (goals) we're pretty safe with (Quick) back there, obviously,'' center Anze Kopitar said after scoring for the second straight contest. ''He kept us in the game in the first period. That's all you want from your goaltender.''
Quick made 41 saves to beat Florida 2-1 on Dec. 1, getting goals from Jack Johnson and Dustin Brown as he improved to 3-0-0 with a 1.95 GAA lifetime versus the Panthers.
That was the Kings' seventh straight win in the series. Los Angeles hasn't lost to Florida since Nov. 27, 2002.
The Panthers (24-17-11) likely will need a better performance than they had in their last two games if they want to end that skid.
Florida allowed a goal 13 seconds into the game and fell 4-0 to Washington on Tuesday, dropping it out of first place in the Southeast Division. The Panthers fell from the third seed to ninth in the Eastern Conference, though they're one point behind the Capitals for the division lead.
''We got beat by the better hockey team tonight,'' coach Kevin Dineen said. ''We need to understand that, fess up, recognize that our game has to improve and move on.''
The Panthers lost 6-3 at Tampa on Saturday and have allowed a power-play goal in seven of their last nine contests. They also gave up a short-handed goal Tuesday.
''We have to stay positive, and we have to up our level of play,'' said defenseman Brian Campbell, second in the league among defensemen with 34 assists. ''Some nights we're there. Other nights we're not.''
The Panthers have lost three straight home meetings to the Kings since a 3-2 win Oct. 26, 2001.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Report: Duncan won't leave Spurs
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-ag... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Manager: Boxer Williams paralyzed
Paul Williams paralyzed in crash but aims to return to ring, trainer says. -
Angels ace Weaver leaves with injury
Los Angeles Angels ace Jered Weaver has left his start against the Yankees in the fir...
NHL Videos
Stanley Cup Preview: X Factors
Posted: May 29, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy channels Simon Cowell to pick his Stanley Cup Final X F...
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Posted: May 28, 2012
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
FOX Sports' Larry Murphy breaks down the key matchups between the Kings and the ...
Stanley Cup Preview: Coaches & Strategy
Posted: May 28, 2012
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
Who will be drinking out of the Stanley Cup? FOX Sports' Larry Murphy makes his ...
NHL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 124.95 | Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack |
| Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 | 159.95 | Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey |
| Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 | 11.95 | Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick |
| Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black |
| Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.