Vegas @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2018 ) Los Angeles 0, Vegas 2

The Vegas Golden Knights began their run to the Stanley Cup Finals last season by sweeping Los Angeles in the first round of the playoffs -- and it could be argued that the Kings have never recovered. The Golden Knights are rolling following a slow start to the season and will go for their eighth win in nine games when they visit the Kings on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the recent tear, Vegas is having trouble gaining ground on the top teams in the Pacific Division standings, who have been on hot streaks of their own. "When you look at the last few games, we've played good hockey," Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. "We have to continue that to have a chance to keep climbing in the standings. Everybody else is winning so we have to keep winning." At the other end of the spectrum is Los Angeles, which sits at the bottom of the division, owns the worst record in hockey and have dropped four of five. "We're obviously super frustrated," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said after Thursday's 6-3 home loss to New Jersey. "It's frustrating. It's embarrassing. It's a lot of things."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, AT&T-Sportsnet-Rocky Mountain (Las Vegas), FS West (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS (16-13-1): Vegas has scored at least four goals in five of its last six games but the increase in offense has overshadowed the efficiency of its special teams. The Golden Knights killed off four power plays by the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday and have snuffed out 20 straight man-advantage opportunities by the opposition over the past seven games. "We're just going out there as a unit, whoever is out there, and working together and doing our job," defenseman Deryk Engelland said. "And with (goalie Marc-Andre Fleury) back there bailing us out whenever we need him."

ABOUT THE KINGS (10-18-1): Doughty was irate with the lack of effort from his teammates against New Jersey, which arrived in Los Angeles on a six-game losing streak. "We’re playing with a lack of emotion, and that’s the bottom line," Doughty said. "I don’t see enough physicality from our team. I don’t see enough compete, and that’s why we’re losing these games to teams that are fighting for the last spot with us in the standings too.” Forward Nikita Scherbak, claimed off waivers from Montreal, had his visa issues cleared up and skated with Tyler Toffoli and Adrian Kempe at Friday's practice.

OVERTIME

1. Golden Knights F Reilly Smith has collected 13 points in the last 10 games.

2. Kempe has two goals in the past three games after tallying once in the previous 21 contests.

3. Vegas F Max Pacioretty set up a pair of goals Thursday to give him 13 points in nine games.

PREDICTION: Golden Knights 4, Kings 2