A 2-1 loss at the Anaheim Ducks on Friday kept the Kings winless since a 5-0 victory at the Edmonton Oilers on Jan. 2. A loss to the Rangers would give Los Angeles its longest losing streak since they dropped eight in a row from Dec. 12-26, 2007. The Rangers have dropped three straight games on the road, including a 3-1 loss at the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Pavel Buchnevich scored a goal in each of his past two games and has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 15 games against Western Conference opponents.
Players to watch
Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh has an assist in each of his past four games. McDonagh is tied with Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith for most assists (22) in the NHL without scoring a goal this season. Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin has an assist in five of his past six games. His 22 assists are third on the team.
They said it
"We've actually had some games where we have had a lot of quality chances. It's a concern when you don't score enough goals, but I think, really, our success comes from checking. When we check better, we score more." -- Kings coach John Stevens on scoring a total of three goals in the past three games "I loved our battle and compete with a lot of relatively new faces, and guys really battled for one another." -- Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh
Hayes and Staal were the only skaters on the ice for the Rangers on Sunday morning. Hayes will miss his fifth straight game; Staal will miss his third. Grabner is expected to return after missing one game with the flu. Lundqvist is expected to play after making 34 saves against Colorado.
Stat pack
The Rangers are 3-3-0 in the second of back-to-back games. ... Kopitar has seven points (one goal, six assists) in his past seven games.
