The NHL schedule makers didn’t do the Kings any favors when they put together the October calendar. Los Angeles plays its six straight road game on Monday and the club won’t see a home stand longer than two games until the beginning of December.
The Kings started the road trip out well with wins over the Blues and Islanders, but the success stopped immediately against the NHL’s superior teams. The West Coast club is now 0-3 straight up and on the puckline in its last three games following Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets.
For the Kings to get back on track they’ll have to improve their special teams play. The squad has just one goal with the man advantage in their last three games and also owes the second worst penalty kill in the NHL.
Pick: Stars
San Jose Sharks at New York Rangers (-120, 5.5)
Something’s gotta give when these two sides meet.
The Rangers are a sparkling 7-1-0 to start the season but after Saturday’s win over the Leafs, all New York coach John Tortorella could talk about was the frequency his starting goaltending is getting run over by opposing forwards.
“You know, I asked the referees between periods what they want us to do if it’s not going to be called or enforced,” Tortorella told the New York Post. “As usual, they didn’t have much to say.”
“But either something has to be done [by the league] or we’ll have to take care of it our way… or a different way, because the way guys are coming in on Hank now is ridiculous.”
The Blue Shirts don’t have a reliable option behind starting netminder Henrik Lundqvist, so it’s understandable why Tortorella is so protective of his All-Star.
On the flip side, San Jose shuffled its lines Saturday against the Isle with rookie Ryan Versce landing a spot on the top line with Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley. The 27-year-old winger won the spot because of his relentless energy.
Expect some fireworks if he comes into Lundqvist’s crease one too many times.
Ice Picks Best Bets 10-19-09
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