The Los Angeles Kings have cycled between wins and losses all month, posting a 4-3-1 record during March. During that stretch, the Kings have not won or lost consecutive games.
Los Angeles begins the day in the second wild card spot in the Western Conference playoff race, two points behind top wild card Colorado and the Anaheim Ducks, who stand third in the Pacific Division. L.A. and the Dallas Stars have the same number of points, but the Kings have played one fewer game and have three additional wins in regulation/overtime.
The Kings won the only meeting of the season so far between the clubs, scoring a 5-2 victory at Staples Center on Dec. 5. Los Angeles scored four third-period goals to overcome a 2-1 deficit in the final frame. Anze Kopitar had one goal and two assists to lead the Kings, who also got three assists from defenseman Drew Doughty and a goal and an assist from Jake Muzzin. Tyler Ennis and Charlie Coyle had goals for Minnesota.
Kopitar is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season, leading the Kings with 29 goals, 51 assists and 80 points. Doughty has 42 assists and 51 points while Tyler Toffoli (23) and Dustin Brown (21) have also eclipsed the 20-goal mark.
Goaltender Jonathan Quick has been outstanding of late and is 28-26-2 this season with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.