Adam Fox will look for a point in their ninth straight game as the New York Rangers visit Los Angeles to take on the Kings (10:30 p.m. ET; BSW, MSG, ESPN+, SN NOW).
Fox has 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in his last eight meetings, including nine in his last five outings alone. The Rangers defenseman (9-6-4) is second in NHL scoring on the blue line with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists), and he’s had a say in the New York’s recent success. Yorkers, who have amassed at least one point in their last three meetings (2-1-0).
If the Rangers’ trip to the US West Coast goes reasonably well, the Kings will be very happy to reunite with their fans at Crypto.com Arena. They lost three of their four games (1-2-1) on the road last week, but they will play their next six games in hot California – five at home and a short stint in San Jose.
The Kings have had success at home, as they are on a five-game winning streak, and forward Gabriel Vilardi, who leads the team with 10 goals, has six in nine home games. With his eight points, he ranks first for home production in Los Angeles, tied with Phillip Danault. In addition, the Kings offer better defensive play in front of their fans, having allowed an average of 2.89 goals per game in nine games, while on the road, they have an average of 3.75 goals per outing. in 12 away games.
However, the Rangers know how to succeed in Los Angeles, having gone 10-7-4 in their last 21 games in the City of Angels. Gains which have not been acquired easily, since 20 of the last 22 meetings between the two clubs have been decided by a difference of two goals or less.
Igor Shesterkin should be the starter for the Rangers, who sit fourth in the Metropolitan Division. The latest Vezina Trophy winner is 9-2-3 this season with a 2.34 goals- once morest average and .917 save percentage in 14 games.
For their part, the Kings, who are second in the Pacific Division seven points behind the Vegas Golden Knights, might not count on good performances from their goalies. Jonathan Quick et Cal Petersen in recent meetings. Jonathan Quick has allowed 10 goals on 55 shots in his last two starts, while Cal Petersen gave up three times on 29 shots in his last game last Saturday once morest the Seattle Kraken in a 3-2 overtime loss.
