The Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings have both hit scoring slumps part way through the current season. Both teams currently sit well in their respective conferences, but need to emerge from these scoring issues if they want things to start that way. Someone will need to start finding the net as the two opponents go head-to-head on Thursday.
The Kings have gone 1-5-1 in their last seven games. During that stretch they have scored less than three goals in each game despite holding several shot advantages. In their fall to the Minnesota Wild, the team finally scored with Jarret Stoll, but gave up the tying goal before the end of regulation. In the past three games, the Kings have held a 40-17 shot advantage but have only managed four goals during that time.
Boston is not looking much better. The Bruins have struggled lately, especially defensively. The team gave up 20 shots on Tuesday as goalie Tuukka Rask made 15 saves. He now drops to 1-2-0 with a 4.63 goals-against average in his last four road starts. The Kings have been saved by their goaltending. Jonathan Quick has stopped 43 of 45 shots since returning from injury. However, the team ranks in the bottom of the league with 2.45 goals per game.
Boston is coming off a loss where they allowed three second-period goals and two in the third. Their defense has been struggling lately as they have been outscored on several occasions. The team is hopeful Jarome Iginla can get hot again as he has five goals in the last seven games.
Both the Bruins and Kings are recent Stanley Cup champions. The head-to-head matchup could get heated as both try and prove they deserve to remain at the top.
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