The Los Angeles Kings welcome the San Jose Sharks to town on Monday night for a battle for first place in the Pacific Division. The division is tightly packed, with the Sharks at 27 points tied with the Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes for first place, and the Kings nipping at their heels with 26 points.
The Kings have lost two straight games and three of their last four, but look for home success as five of their next six games are at Staples Center, with the other in Anaheim against the Ducks.
With just eight goals in their last four games, the Kings look to increase their offense. Coach Terry Murray has shuffled the lines for Monday's game, with Anze Kopitar now teaming up with Dustin Brown and Trent Hunter, per Brian Compton of NHL.com.
"There's no secret to it," Kopitar said over the weekend. "You just have to get more shots on net. You have to keep it simple - take the shot and not try to be too cute."
San Jose, who eliminated the Kings from the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season in the first round in six games, beat the Kings in their first meeting this season, 4-2 on November 7 in San Jose. The Sharks lost on Saturday to the Vancouver Canucks but they are still 12-3-1 in their last 16 games.
Monday night's 7:30 p.m. PST game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on the Kings, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.