(Sports Network) - Hopefully the Oilers and Kings got a little rest before tonight's meeting, because recent history says the clubs will be skating beyond 60 minutes. The last five games between the teams at the Staples Center have gone to a shootout, with Edmonton winning all five, and Los Angeles will try to reverse that trend tonight with a second straight victory overall. The Oilers and Kings have skated to a tight series as of late, with the franchises splitting four games in each of the past four seasons. Los Angeles won both games in Edmonton last year, but the Oilers responded with a pair of shootout victories in the City of Angels, where they haven't lost since Oct. 27, 2007.
The Kings have been a tough team to beat this season at home, where they are 11-2-1 this season. They return to the Staples Center off a 3-2-0 road trip, capping the swing with a 5-0 triumph in Colorado on Tuesday. Dustin Brown matched a career high with four points off two goals and two assists, while Jonathan Quick made 23 saves for his third shutout of the season and second on four games.
"Overall, this road trip was a tough one, but [winning] three out of five games is not bad," said Brown. "This is one of the best defensive games we've played in some time."
Brad Richardson, Rob Scuderi and Justin Williams also scored in the victory, which came in forward Marco Sturm's debut. Acquired from Boston on Dec. 11 for future considerations, Sturm played in 11 minutes and 42 seconds of action in his first game since suffering a knee injury during last year's postseason with the Bruins on May 1. He underwent surgery in the offseason.
The Oilers will be looking to avoid a fourth loss in five games this evening after suffering a 2-1 setback in San Jose on Tuesday. The loss came in the opener of a three-game road trip and halted a string of three straight victories as the guest. Dustin Penner scored for Edmonton and Nikolai Khabibulin allowed two goals on 30 shots, with the second tally and eventual game-winner coming while down a man in the second period. "It's just one of those special teams games that's been killing us for awhile now," Whitney said.
Khabibulin should get the call tonight in net and is 19-9-1 with a tie and 2.47 goals-against average in his career versus the Kings, including 6-2-1 in his last nine against them. Quick is 3-0-2 with a 1.76 GAA when facing the Oilers, while Brown has 10 goals and 10 assists in 20 games against them.
For more information and analysis of Kings hockey, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.