Preview: Blues at Kings

BLUES AT KINGS

TEAM SNAPSHOTS

BLUESThe St. Louis Blues began their California back-to-back trip with a 6-3 win in Anaheim, again surrendering the first goal but quickly taking over the game. Sammy Blais and Brayden Schenn - securing a 20-goal season - scored 19 seconds apart to tie and then take the lead late in the first period.
Schenn, Kasperi Kapanen and Colton Parayko all had three-point efforts in the offensive display, Kapanen's being his first in the Blue Note and fifth of his career.
"I feel good out there, and I think tonight was a good example," said Kapanen. "My legs were good - so was (Blais) and (Vrana) - and I think the team played an outstanding game as well."
Blais continued his goal-scoring run since his return to St. Louis, now at six tallies in his last nine games - leading the Blues in that span.
The Blues wrap up their road trip at Crypto.com Arena, taking on the red-hot Kings who are threatening to overtake the Western Conference's top seed.
They'll visit Los Angeles with a record of 33-33-6, worth 72 points with 10 games remaining on the regular season schedule.
KINGSThe Los Angeles Kings began their own back-to-back set on Saturday, beating the Winnipeg Jets 4-1. The win continues the tear that Los Angeles has been on since the All-Star Break, their 31 points in 19 games leading the NHL in point percentage.
Saturday's win extended the Kings' home point streak to 11 games, continuing their momentum from an 8-2 win over Calgary on Monday. As they aim to chase down Vegas for the top spot in the Pacific Division standings, a point streak amidst a long stay at Crypto.com Arena has come at the perfect time.
Anze Kopitar has been a key driver behind the run, leading the team with 13 assists and 23 points since Feb. 11.
Sunday's tilt against the Blues will be the Kings' seventh straight home game and tenth in their last 11 games. Afterwards, they'll hit the road for a four-game trip, staying in the Pacific Division and visiting Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle and Vancouver.
The Kings will host the Blues with a record of 41-20-10, worth 92 points and second in the Pacific Division.
HEAD-TO-HEADThe Blues have yet to beat the Kings this season, falling 5-1 on Halloween at Enterprise Center and 4-2 in Los Angeles just after the Trade Deadline. The Blues are 4-3-2 overall in their last nine games against the Kings, with Torey Krug's six assists leading all Blues in that span.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

BLUESColton Parayko, who recorded his third career three-point game on Saturday in Anaheim. Five of Parayko's 27 points this season have come in his last five games, sharing No. 5 among NHL defensemen in that span.
KINGSAnze Kopitar, Kings captain and No. 2 on the team in goals (26), assists (40) and points (66). Kopitar is one point shy of his season total from last year, including five in his last five games.

BLUE NOTES

The Blues have not allowed a power play goal to the Kings in four of their last six matchups, going 17-for-19 (89.5 percent) on the penalty kill... Jordan Kyrou has 20 goals on the road this season, ranking No. 9 in the NHL. Since Kyrou's debut in 2018-19, his 13 multi-goal games share No. 2 on the Blues - 10 of which have come in the last two seasons... Robert Thomas crossed the 40-assist threshold on March 11, becoming the second player in franchise history to post back-to-back 40-assist seasons before the age of 24... All three Blues Trade Deadline acquisitions got on the scoresheet in Anaheim, with Jakub Vrana, Kasperi Kapanen and Sammy Blais combining for seven points in the win.