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Oilers-Kings Preview

Apr 9, 2010 - 8:16 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Edmonton (26-46-8) at Los Angeles (45-27-8), 4:00 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Kings have earned at least one point in five straight contests, but not all parts of their game are working smoothly as they prepare for the postseason.

Among their inconsistencies has been the play of goaltender Jonathan Quick, but he's regularly very good against the Edmonton Oilers.

Quick will try to add to that success and earn his first win in eight starts Saturday as he faces the visiting Oilers.

As it winds down a surprising season, Los Angeles (45-27-8) is one win shy of tying the franchise record for victories and recording its first 100-point season since finishing 46-24-10 in 1990-91.

The Kings, 3-0-2 in their last five, also have a shot at finishing fifth in the Western Conference. They will clinch that spot with wins over the Oilers (26-46-8) and playoff-bound Colorado in Sunday's season finale.

Quick recorded the most recent of his team-record 39 wins March 22 against the Avalanche, since going 0-3-2 with a 3.27 goals-against average in seven starts.

After getting pulled for the second time in that span Tuesday night, Quick was working on a shutout midway through the third period Thursday night against visiting Phoenix. The Coyotes, though, scored twice in a 1:24 span in his team record-tying 71st appearance this season and prevailed in the shootout for a 3-2 win.

Despite the loss, coach Terry Murray stood up for his goaltender and said he needs more help from his teammates.

"He's going to be the goalie in the playoffs," Murray said. "We need to get our team game going to give him that support on a consistent basis."

Quick has not allowed more than two goals in any of his four career starts versus the Oilers and has won the last three, including two this season. He has a 1.48 career GAA against them.

With a league-low 60 points, Edmonton needs at least one Saturday or in Anaheim on Sunday to avoid matching its fewest in an 82-game season, set in 1992-93. The Oilers had 38 in the lockout-shortened 1994-95 campaign.

They have some momentum after sweeping a two-game homestand against Minnesota and Colorado. The 5-4 overtime win over the Avalanche on Wednesday night was especially unexpected after they gave up three goals in the first nine minutes.

Five different Oilers scored after that, with Ryan Whitney netting the winner 3:50 into the extra period.

Edmonton, though, is 1-19-2 on the road since Dec. 22, including 10 consecutive losses since a 3-2 shootout win at Staples Center on Feb. 11.

"We've obviously struggled on the road, and I really can't say why," center Shawn Horcoff said. "I don't know if it's a matter of being more comfortable at home. We'd like to finish the season strong and have a couple of good efforts."

Each of the Oilers' four consecutive wins in Los Angeles have come in shootouts.