The Los Angeles Kings open their second half with a home game Wednesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center. The Kings open their post-break schedule at 58 points, firmly in the seventh spot in the Western Conference and four points behind the San Jose Sharks for first place in the Pacific Division.
Under new head coach Darryl Sutter, the Kings have lost just twice in regulation in 17 games, with a 9-6-2 record. However, the problems on offense remain for Los Angeles. Before Sutter came on board, the Kings averaged just 2.12 goals per game, the worst mark in the NHL. Under Sutter, the Kings are averaging 2.18 goals per contest, a marginal difference.
"We're going to have some games where we score in bunches, and we're going to have games where we have to battle it out," All-Star goaltender Jonathan Quick told the Associated Press.
Wednesday night is the final home game for the Kings for two weeks, as they embark on their annual Grammy road trip. The six-game, 10-day trip begins Friday night in St. Louis.
Columbus has lost five straight games and at 32 points have the worst record in the NHL by 11 points over their closest competitor. The Blue Jackets are 5-18-3 on the road this season
Wednesday night's 7:30 p.m. PST game will be televised by Fox Sports West. For more news and information on Kings hockey, be sure to read Jewels From The Crown.