The suddenly offensively challenged Los Angeles Kings look to end their slump Saturday night as they host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Staples Center. The Kings were shutout by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night 3-0 in Los Angeles, the third straight loss for the Kings and fourth defeat in their last five games.
The Kings have score two goals or fewer in six of their last seven games, including just one goal total in their last three home games. "We've got a lot of great offensive players in here, a lot of talent. We just, for whatever reason, we're an offensively challenged team. One goal in three games, that's pretty tough to win hockey games," defenseman Jack Johnson said on Friday, per NHL.com.
The Kings (6-4-2) are in a tightly bunched battle in both the Pacific Division and Western Conference with 14 points. The Penguins (8-3-3) lead the NHL with 19 points. This is the only meeting of the season between the two clubs.
Saturday night's 7:30 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more Kings news and notes, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.