Columbus Blue Jackets (20-38-7, eighth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (38-20-9, second in the Pacific Division)
Los Angeles; Thursday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Los Angeles Kings after the Blue Jackets beat the San Jose Sharks 6-5 in overtime.
Los Angeles has a 38-20-9 record overall and a 21-9-3 record in home games. The Kings have a 34-6-4 record in games they score three or more goals.
Columbus is 8-18-5 in road games and 20-38-7 overall. The Blue Jackets are 21-7-4 when scoring at least three goals.
Thursday’s game is the second time these teams match up this season. The Blue Jackets won 6-5 in overtime in the last matchup. Johnny Gaudreau led the Blue Jackets with two goals.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kevin Fiala has 22 goals and 46 assists for the Kings. Anze Kopitar has scored six goals with five assists over the last 10 games.
Gaudreau has 15 goals and 42 assists for the Blue Jackets. Patrik Laine has scored six goals with six assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Kings: 7-1-2, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.2 penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game.
Blue Jackets: 3-4-3, averaging 3.1 goals, 4.9 assists, 2.9 penalties and 7.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.8 goals per game.
INJURIES: Kings: Kevin Fiala: day to day (lower body), Sean Durzi: day to day (undisclosed).
Blue Jackets: Zach Werenski: out (shoulder/labrum), Jake Bean: out (shoulder), Sean Kuraly: out (oblique), Justin Danforth: out (shoulder), Elvis Merzlikins: day to day (personal).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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