Los Angeles Kings (4-6-0)
The Los Angeles Kings have had a pretty tough beginning to their season. In fact, in the last three games the Kings’ offense has failed to score a single goal.
While the team hopes to end its scoring drought tonight, Los Angeles will need to play a very fast game if it expects to keep up with a potent Penguins offense.
The addition of forward Teddy Purcell, who missed the last eight games with a nagging lower-body injury, to the lineup is monumental for a team that has been pretty bad on that side of the puck lately. For the Kings to send Pittsburgh packing with a loss, they’ll need to figure out Pittsburgh netminder Marc-Andre Fleury and turn their game up a notch.
Pittsburgh Penguins (7-2-1)
After playing arguably their best game of the season last night against the Anaheim Ducks, the Pittsburgh Penguins are all set to suit up against another West Coast opponent. And Pittsburgh is hoping to break .500 in its away games this season.
Fleury will be getting the start in net after a strong Matt Murray performance against the Ducks. For now, it seems as though the veteran netminder has the edge in getting the nod to start in net, but don’t necessarily expect that to stay that way for too long. It’s about to be a great battle for the starting spot between two very good, quality goaltenders.
For the Penguins to win their fifth straight game, they need to mimic the same mentality they went into Anaheim with. Confidence leads to some pretty amazing things, and when Pittsburgh has it, opponents better watch out.
Prediction
Purcell will make a big difference in the Kings’ offense and be part of at least one score. However, the Penguins are firing on all cylinders and unless Pittsburgh gives up a big early lead, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan will be watching his team take their fifth straight game with a 3-1 win.
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
When: Thursday, November 3 @ 10:30 p.m.
Watch: FSW, ROOT
Image credit: Harry How/Getty Images
