Chicago @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 16, 2018 ) Los Angeles 2, Chicago 1

The Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings share the same distinction of being labeled as last-place teams in their respective divisions, but the play of the former is producing significantly better results than that of the latter. Winners of 11 of their last 15 contests, the Blackhawks continue their California road trip on Saturday against a Kings club that is mired in a 10-game skid (0-6-4).

Patrick Kane was named the NHL's Second Star for February after finding the scoresheet in all but one of his appearances last month, totaling 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 13 outings. The 2016 Hart Trophy recipient scored with 16.1 seconds left in the third period of Wednesday's 4-3 win at Anaheim to boost his team-leading totals in goals (40) and points (94), although he failed to dent the scoresheet in a 2-1 shootout setback to Los Angeles on Nov. 16. Captain Anze Kopitar collected his third three-point performance of the season with two goals and an assist in Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to Dallas, a result that has the Kings just one loss away from tying their franchise record set in 2004. "Obviously (Thursday) was better, but at the end of the day it's the wins that (count) and the two points, but we couldn't get it done again," Kopitar said.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, NHL Network, NBCS Chicago, FS West (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (27-28-9): Alex DeBrincat scored twice against the Ducks to boost his goal total to seven in the last five games and 36 overall on the season. "Just trying to get to the right areas at the right times. I think that's a big thing," said DeBrincat, who became the first Chicago player who is 21 or younger to reach the 35-goal plateau since Jeremy Roenick in 1991-92. "I want to be that clutch guy, I want to be that guy who scores big goals." Defenseman Erik Gustafsson has been setting up goals at a furious pace, namely nine in his last four games.

ABOUT THE KINGS (23-33-8): While Kopitar leads the team in goals (19) and points (47), defenseman Drew Doughty notched his club-best 29th assist on Brendan Leipsic's power-play tally during the first period on Thursday. Tyler Toffoli also had an assist against the Stars to snap an eight-game point drought. The 26-year-old Toffoli scored in the second period in the first meeting with Chicago, giving him six goals and nine points in 17 career encounters versus the club.

OVERTIME

1. Los Angeles G Jonathan Quick has yielded 16 goals in his last three games.

2. Blackhawks LW Brandon Saad, who registered 11 points (six goals, five assists) in February, scored in the first meeting with the Kings.

3. Los Angeles' nine wins at Staples Center are the fewest at home for any NHL team.

PREDICTION: Kings 3, Blackhawks 2