Jagr, Panthers Continue Homestand Against Struggling Kings
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SUNRISE (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – The Florida Panthers are going through an up-and-down phase right now and are hoping to build off a strong performance against the Eastern Conference leading New York Rangers on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Kings look to find their best form after two uncharacteristic performances when they visit the Panthers on Monday.
The Kings, one of the league's best defensive teams, allowed seven goals combined in a pair of one-goal losses at Detroit and Carolina in their last two contests after winning 12 of their previous 15.
Anze Kopitar notched his first two-point game of the season with a pair of goals, but Los Angeles offered up six power plays and Carolina took advantage of two for a 4-3 victory Sunday.
The Kings will have to stay out of the penalty box Monday against the Panthers, who are tied for fourth in the league at 22.2 percent.
The Panthers have won only three of their last 11 games (3-5-3) after a 5-4 overtime defeat against the Rangers.
Veteran Jaromir Jagr leads Florida with 16 points and has 730 career goals, one shy of former King Marcel Dionne for fourth on the NHL's all-time list.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Florida
ABOUT THE KINGS (12-8-0): Jeff Carter (19 points) and Tyler Toffoli (18) lead the team in points, but were shut out Sunday despite totaling five shots.
The Kings have had to kill off at least five power plays in the last three games and surrendered four goals while at least a man down.
Drew Doughty is tied with Carter for the team lead with 10 assists while fellow defenseman Christian Ehrhoff returned to the lineup Sunday after being a healthy scratch in two straight.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (8-8-4): Florida's offense has been inconsistent, but the return of center Aleksander Barkov should help settle things down.
The 20-year-old former second-overall pick has produced nine points (five goals) in 10 games this season and makes things happen with Jagr and Jonathan Huberdeau on his wings.
Offseason acquisition Reilly Smith has raised his game with four points in the last four games while forward Vincent Trocheck has gone three games without a point.
OVERTIME
- Los Angeles G Jonathan Quick has allowed at least three goals in six of his last eight games, including Sunday when he was pulled after two periods.
- Florida LW Jussi Jokinen has registered six points (two goals) in his last six contests.
- The Kings have won four of the last five meetings, including a 4-1 triumph on Nov. 7 at home.
The Panthers face the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, November 23rd at 7:30 p.m. You can hear every game on Sports Radio 560 WQAM, the radio home of the Florida Panthers.
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