Los Angeles @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 16, 2019 ) Boston 4, Los Angeles 2

After finally putting an end to a season-worst, five-game winless drought last time out, the Boston Bruins look to regain their mojo when they kick off a four-game homestand against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night. The Atlantic Division-leading Bruins have lost only once in regulation at home and own a 12-1-5 record at TD Garden.

David Pastrnak, the league's top goal scorer, converted twice as Boston halted an 0-4-1 skid with a 4-2 victory at Florida on Saturday in the finale of a four-game trek. “Now we’re going home not necessarily happy with how the road trip went, but you kind of go as your last game goes,” forward Jake DeBrusk said. “Coming back home feeling good about ourselves is always a good thing, especially when things weren't looking too good there.” The Kings entered their six-game road trip having lost 11 in a row away from home, but they have earned points in all three games (2-0-1), sandwiching wins over Anaheim and Detroit around a shootout loss at Pittsburgh. "The win is great, the opportunity to learn from it is even better," coach Todd McLellan said after Los Angeles gave up a pair of third-period goals in the 4-2 win over the Red Wings. "We’ll get some rest now, because we need it, big game coming up."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet East/Ontario/Pacific, FS West (Los Angeles), NESN (Boston)

ABOUT THE KINGS (14-18-3): One day after he received a $2.65 million roster bonus, Ilya Kovalchuk was placed on unconditional waivers by Los Angeles on Monday for the purpose of terminating the former No. 1 overall pick's contract with the club. A six-time 40-goal scorer, the 36-year-old Kovakchuk was in his second season with the Kings after spending five years playing in Russia. Kovalchuk struggled with just three goals and nine points in 17 games after notching 16 goals and 34 points with the Kings in 2018-19.

ABOUT THE BRUINS (21-7-6): Boston's top line, led by Pastrnak, combined for five points against Florida but the reconfigured second unit of Charlie Coyle, David Krejci and DeBrusk provided balance with four points. Coyle was primarily a third-line center before he was shifted to wing alongside Krejci and DeBrusk. “They certainly were excellent,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Was it Charlie or was it the other two guys just knowing that sooner or later, they're good players, they're gonna come around? I think it's a bit of both."

OVERTIME

1. Bruins F Brad Marchand is in a nine-game goalless drought but has six assists in a four-game point streak.

2. Kings captain Anze Kopitar scored twice Sunday to move past Wayne Gretzky for fourth on the franchise list with 919 points.

3. Bruins G Tuukka Rask, who has lost three straight (0-2-1), is 5-3-1 with a 2.37 goals-against average versus Los Angeles.

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Kings 1