Kings Vs. Stars: Los Angeles Looks To Get Back In Playoff Race Against Dallas

The Los Angeles Kings are looking to get back in the Western Conference playoff race against a team they haven't lost to this season, the Dallas Stars. The Kings are two points behind the San Jose Sharks, who defeated the Phoenix Coyotes this afternoon, with three games in hand. In their two previous meetings with the Stars, the Kings have won both: 5-2 on October 28th and 3-1 on November 11th. They have also won the last six meetings in Dallas and have points in their last eight, 7-0-1.

The Kings lost Wayne Simmonds for the next two games due to a leg injury he suffered against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Jack Johnson has five points against the Stars this season and Jarret Stoll has been on a run as of last with five goals in the last five games.

The Dallas Stars are riding a six game point streak, 5-0-1, in the month of January. James Neal is currently working on a three game goal streak with four goals in those games and Loui Eriksson has a nine game point streak, the longest active streak in the league, with one goal and 10 assists in those nine games.

The Stars will have Keri Lehtonen in net while the Kings will go with Jonathan Bernier. Lehtonen was in net for the last Kings victory over the Stars and in his career is 2-2 with a 2.70 GAA in four games. The Dallas Stars will have a pregame ceremony to honor Jamie Langenbrunner's 1,000th game played tonight before the game.