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Kings travel to Winnipeg

Dec 29, 2011 - 4:07 PM (Sports Network) - Goals have been numerous when the Kings and Jets franchises have gotten together over the past few seasons, but those expecting another high-scoring affair could be in for a disappointment.

Despite its season-long scoring woes, Los Angeles looks to extend a five-game point streak this evening against a Winnipeg club that has clawed its way into the playoff picture.

The Kings sit last in the NHL with an average of just 2.14 goals per game and have been held to two goals or fewer in regulation in 15 of their last 16 games. Defense has helped the club survive as the Kings have killed off 20 straight short-handed situations and got a 38-save shutout from netminder Jonathan Quick in Wednesday's 2-0 victory at Chicago.

"Just one of those games where I was seeing everything really well," said Quick. "The guys, too, played great in front of me and kept things clear around the net."

Quick logged his league-leading fifth shutout and 19th of his career, getting backed by goals from Jarret Stoll and Trent Hunter. The win moved Los Angeles to 4-0-1 in its past five, with four of those games coming under coach Darryl Sutter since he replaced a fired Terry Murray.

Defenseman Drew Doughty extended his assists streak to a career-high five straight games as the Kings sit a point behind the first-place Sharks in the Pacific Division.

Los Angeles and Winnipeg meet for the first and only time this year after having combined for 46 goals in the previous five encounters. The Jets won three straight over that span before the Kings recorded a 3-1 home win last year.

The last time Los Angeles visited the Winnipeg franchise, it was routed 7-0 by the then Atlanta Thrashers on Nov. 13, 2009. Ondrej Pavelec made 38 saves to record the first of his nine career shutouts.

Winnipeg comes into this meeting off a 4-1 triumph in Colorado, winning for the eighth time in 12 games to move into the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference for the first time this season.

Evander Kane snapped a season-high goal drought of seven straight games by scoring twice. He now has 17 goals on the season, just two shy of the career- high 19 he netted in 73 games last season.

Pavelec made 32 saves and Tim Stapleton and Jim Slater added tallies for the Jets.

"This is a tough place to play, especially with a few days off in between," said Pavelec of Winnipeg's four-day break following a home loss to Pittsburgh. "That first goal was huge, and our power play came through. A good two points."

Winnipeg was without forward Bryan Little for a fourth straight game due to a sore foot, while Dustin Byfuglien sat out due to a knee injury. Both are questionable for tonight.