GDT #32: 12/18/14 | 9:30PM CST | @ Kings | FSMW/KMOX

[dmiles2186]

The Los Angeles Kings would normally relish an immediate opportunity for redemption following a tough loss.

That sentiment may not apply when Vladimir Tarasenko is involved.

The Kings return home for a rematch with the surging Blues on Thursday night, two days after squandering a two-goal advantage and falling 5-2 to St. Louis.

''You kind of felt it in the game,'' Blues captain David Backes said. ''It was time to sink or swim. Our guys responded really well. We get on our horse and start playing our game where we're getting pucks and forcing them to take a couple penalties there and we get a 5-on-3.

"Enough of taking a back seat to these guys, we can play with them when we're all in on the effort.''

Tarasenko recorded his second hat trick of the season, helping the Blues (21-8-2) win their fifth straight. The third-year forward has 20 goals this season and ranks fourth in the NHL with 36 points.

He's been especially hot of late, tallying 10 points in six games.

''Vladdy shoots the puck so incredibly well that you just tip your hat,'' Backes said. ''He's got 20 goals already. He's the real deal.''

St. Louis has scored 4.80 goals per game, averaged 33.2 shots and gone 8 for 19 on the power play during its five-game streak.

That offense, though, won't be at full strength Thursday with forward Jaden Schwartz expected to miss some time with a right foot injury. Schwartz, who is tied for second on the team with 27 points, sustained the injury Tuesday.

Tuesday's loss was the fifth in six games for Los Angeles (15-11-6), which has totaled only eight goals in those five defeats while going 1 for 20 on the power play.

"Yeah, you want to beat the Blues obviously, especially after the game like it was (Tuesday)," Anze Kopitar told the Kings' official site. "You want to come out Thursday and, I guess, have a little revenge."

Los Angeles' marquee players have been largely to blame for the scoring drought. Kopitar has scored one goal in his past 14 games and has just six this season after netting 29 in 2013-14. Marion Gaborik has emerged lately with three goals in the last two games, but Jeff Carter (one goal in last 17 games) and Tyler Toffoli (zero goals last seven games) have been very quiet following a season-opening run that saw the two forwards combine for 11 goals through 11 games.

"We just got to play a full 60 minutes," defenseman Alec Martinez said. "That's been our problem lately. We haven't been playing our game for a full game. You're not going to win hockey games if you're doing that."

Jonathan Quick hasn't been as sharp as he usually is, posting a 3.26 goals-against average in his last three starts. He had compiled a 1.38 GAA with two shutouts during a five-game win streak against the Blues before allowing four goals on 22 shots in Tuesday's loss.

Martin Brodeur is expected to make his third start for St. Louis and his first since he stopped 32 shots in a 4-2 win over Florida on Dec. 8. He has't faced the Kings since October 13, 2011.

[glen a richter]

Jaskin with the hatty.

Blues 3
Kings 0

[STLADOGG]

Anyone know if Oshie will be in the lineup?

[cprice12]

Anyone know if Oshie will be in the lineup?

Yes, he is supposed to play. But Schwartz is out.

[cardsfan04]

Sweeping this home and home would be awesome. I'm worried the Kings are going to come out on fire after Tuesday, so hopefully we're up to the task.

[F Keenan]

I don't have a good feeling about this one.

3-2 Kings.

[Krigloch the Furious]

Schwartz with a broken foot. *sigh*

[ecbm]

Want to see Vova get deeper into Quick's head...this Kings team is obviously good but scoring consistently is still a problem for them since Kopitar's last season is looking like an outlier. And they're currently in one of their barren spells. I'll call a 4-1 win. $20K for Marty!

Would put Berglund or maybe Oshie in Schwartz's spot to see if they can get some momentum going.

[ComradeT]

Jaskin with the hatty.

Blues 3
Kings 0

Not with 6.9% shot percentage. But he might sneak one in there with a lucky shot.

[ViPeRx007]

Marty needs his $20k. No more soup lines for him.

Or something...

BEAT THE KINGS! AGAIN!

AGAIN!



Blues 3
Kings 2

It would be huge to win this one in their barn. Even though we got the monkey off our back a bit last game, another one would be even sweeter still.

[Oaklandblue]

Adversity is knocking on our door again. Open it and hit em with both barrels, boys!
Blues 6
Kings 2

"In Tank I Trust"

I wanna see Lindbolm eat a King today. Make my wish come true!

[glen a richter]

We'll see how much depth this team really has now that Schwartz is out for an extended time. I hope Jaskin can provide a nice offensive boost. Interesting that they keep skipping over Rattie. Perhaps he'll never see long term detail at the NHL level. The kid is pretty small and based on his stats in Chicago, and I can't say this for certain, but he seems like a puck hog. Horrible ratio of goals to assists.

[ViPeRx007]

We'll see how much depth this team really has now that Schwartz is out for an extended time. I hope Jaskin can provide a nice offensive boost. Interesting that they keep skipping over Rattie. Perhaps he'll never see long term detail at the NHL level. The kid is pretty small and based on his stats in Chicago, and I can't say this for certain, but he seems like a puck hog. Horrible ratio of goals to assists.

I don't know what to make of Rattie. He's still young; only 21. Definitely needs to bulk up a bit. 14 goals, puck hog or not, is still pretty good. He's a +6, which is near the top of the team. Shooting percentage is tops. He does shoot alot; most on the team and 30 more than the next guy. Is that good or bad? I don't know. I don't see him enough...or at all...to know. I'd be interested to hear what people say about him who go to Wolves games regularly.

[glen a richter]

If I took 100000 shots on an NHL or AHL goalie, I'd probably slip a few past too, just by chance, and I'm a short Italian guy with a developing potbelly. Is his goal total the result of skills or just he shoots so much something has to go in?

[ViPeRx007]

If I took 100000 shots on an NHL or AHL goalie, I'd probably slip a few past too, just by chance, and I'm a short Italian guy with a developing potbelly. Is his goal total the result of skills or just he shoots so much something has to go in?

Haha. Yea, I don't know? That's where you need someone who's actually watching him play because stats only say so much.

[KrustyKevo]

This game scares me. But nonetheless,
Blues- 4, Kings - 3

Lindbohm with his first NHL goal.

[KrustyKevo]

Also, Ott is taking Schwartz's place on the second line with Lehtera and Tank. Da fuq?

[glen a richter]

Maybe Ott will score a goal?

[cardsfan04]

Maybe Ott will score a goal?

LOL. I have a better chance than he does.

[cardsfan04]

Also, Ott is taking Schwartz's place on the second line with Lehtera and Tank. Da fuq?

JR speculated that he might be the guy earlier today. The gist of why he thought that was that it gave the most balanced lines we could have which is important on the road when we don't have last change.