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Tkachuk tries to keep up torrid pace vs. Kings

Oct 24, 2008 - 10:11 AM Los Angeles (2-3-0) at St. Louis (4-2-0) 8:30 pm. EDT

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Keith Tkachuk seems to be like fine wine: he just keeps getting better with age.

The veteran left wing seeks to keep his scoring streak alive on Friday when the St. Louis Blues host the Los Angeles Kings.

The 36-year-old Tkachuk recorded his seventh goal in six games in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Detroit. Tkachuk, who is a free agent after the season, is a big reason the Blues are off to a hot start. He is second in the league in goals behind Buffalo's Thomas Vanek, who has eight tallies.

St. Louis had won three straight prior to its loss to Detroit.

The Blues look to rebound against the Kings, who had their modest two-game winning streak come to end with a 4-3 loss to Colorado on Monday. The silver lining in the defeat was Los Angeles killed off all four of Colorado's power-play chances. On the season, the Kings have killed off all 23 penalties this season.

Erik Ersberg may be in goal for this one since start Jason LaBarbera was pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots on Monday. LaBarbera is 0-4 with a 3.89 goals-against average in five games against Colorado. For his part, Ersberg has never faced the Avalanche.

Prior to the start of this game, governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin will drop the ceremonial first puck.