KINGS (15-8-3) at BLUES (17-7-1) 8 p.m. ET; FS-MW, FS-W, NHL.TV
Gunnarsson has been a healthy scratch the past four games and Sundqvist was scratched in a 3-2 loss against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The Kings have won three games in a row and have points in four straight (3-0-1). They defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Thursday.
Players to watch
Kings left wing Marian Gaborik has four points (two goals, two assists) in four games since returning from a knee injury Nov. 24. Gaborik has 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 40 games against the Blues. Blues defenseman Colton Parayko has eight points (one goal, seven assists) in seven games after starting the season with five points (one goal, four assists) in 18 games.
They said it
"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. Yeah, we've won a few games in a row, but we can still play better. We've got another big game against a conference rival in St. Louis. I believe they're at the top of the League if I'm not mistaken. It's going to be a tough matchup for us. They beat us last time, so it's our turn to return the favor." -- Kings defenseman Drew Doughty "It's a good feeling walking in the room and seeing your number on the board. So I'm kind of excited for tonight." -- Blues defenseman Carl Gunnarsson
The Kings did not hold a morning skate, but Kuemper could start after Quick made 27 saves Thursday. ... Gunnarsson will replace Bortuzzo, and Sundqvist will replace Blais. Jaskin and Sobotka will flip spots in the lineup.
Stat pack
The Kings were 1-6-1 before their current four-game point streak. ... Kopitar has five points (three goals, two assists) the past five games and 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 17 games. ... The Blues have won four of the past six and 11 of 15. ... Schenn (seven goals, 12 assists), Schwartz (five goals, 10 assists) and Tarasenko (six goals, eight assists) have combined for 48 points the past 11 games.
