Los Angeles @ Buffalo preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 20, 2018 ) Buffalo 5, Los Angeles 1

Despite Jack Eichel's recent offensive surge, the Buffalo Sabres have gone without a victory since having their 10-game winning streak halted late in November. The Sabres attempt to end their five-game slide (0-3-2) when they continue a four-game homestand Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.

Eichel has been a bright spot during Buffalo's winless streak, recording four two-point performances - including two-goal efforts in each of the first two contests of the team's stretch at KeyBank Center. The 22-year-old captain, who had gone seven games without a goal and notched just one in 16 contests before the outburst, is one away from joining Jeff Skinner as the only Sabres in double digits. Los Angeles' four-game road trip got off to a rough start as it dropped a 3-1 decision in Detroit for its fifth defeat in seven overall contests. Captain Anze Kopitar scored late in the third period to avoid a shutout for the Kings, who have recorded a total of four goals during their three-game skid away from home.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, FS West (Los Angeles), MSG (Buffalo)

ABOUT THE KINGS (11-19-1): Kopitar's goal against the Red Wings was his eighth of the season, tying him with Dustin Brown for the team lead and ending his seven-game drought. The 31-year-old Slovenian, who netted a career-high 35 tallies last season, needs two to reach 300 for his career. Brown has collected five goals and four assists over his last nine contests after helping set up Kopitar's tally on Monday.

ABOUT THE SABRES (17-9-4): Buffalo hopes to start receiving scoring from other sources as the top line of Sam Reinhart (five), Eichel (four) and Skinner has recorded 10 of the team's 12 goals over the last five games. Reinhart's eruption has been a welcome one, however, as the 23-year-old - who had scored only three times in his first 25 contests this season - has collected five tallies and four assists during his career-high six-game point streak. The Sabres could use some help from their power play as well, as it has gone just 1-for-14 over the last six contests.

OVERTIME

1. Skinner has notched 30 points in as many games and is 19 away from matching his total over 82 contests with Carolina last season.

2. Los Angeles recalled D Sean Walker from Ontario of the American Hockey League prior to Monday's game, but the 24-year-old was a healthy scratch.

3. Buffalo G Carter Hutton (upper body) has been on the ice two straight days and is expected to return to action this week.

PREDICTION: Sabres 3, Kings 2