Up next for Kings:

[IE]

Kings look to extend four-game winning streak.

Records: Kings 4-1-0, Rangers 5-1-0.

Record vs. Rangers: 0-0-1 (2008-09).

Update: Goaltender Erik Ersberg is scheduled to make his first start of the season for the Kings, who have won four straight games after losing their opener. This starts their first back-to-back sequence; goalie Jonathan Quick is expected to start Thursday at Detroit. Center Anze Kopitar has at least one point in every game and 10 points overall to rank among NHL leaders. Left wing Ryan Smyth (four goals, eight points) and defenseman Drew Doughty (two goals, six points) also have at least one point in each game. The Rangers have won five straight, carried by a surprisingly strong offense that is averaging four goals a game. Free agent Marian Gaborik has recorded a point in every game, with five goals and nine points overall.

 

[IE]

Blueshirts have outscored the opposition 24-12 overall, 15-8 at even-strength, 9-4 on the specialty units and 12-4 in the third period . . . Ryan Callahan opened scoring with a five-on-three PPG.

Blueshirts, who failed on a brief five-on-three Sunday against the Ducks, are going with five forwards with a two-man advantage, using Marian Gaborik and Ales Kotalik on the points with Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Vinny Prospal up front.

Gaborik, plus-three with a goal and an assist, has recorded at least one point in all six games. He's 5-4=9 with a plus-seven.

Blueshirts, who went 2-for-6 on the power play, are 7-for-22 in the last four games after opening 0-for-9. The PK is 4-for-29. Rangers have scored two shorthanded goals, both empty-netters . . . Brashear and former Blueshirt enforcer Colton Orr fought midway through the second. The booing of Brashear appears to be a thing of the past.

Rangers will go for sixth consecutive victory tonight when Kings come to Garden. Blueshirts, who won opening five games last season, haven't won six in a row since taking seven straight since Feb. 1-March 2, 2006, that streak bridging the Olympic break.

 

[Lumi]

Great to see the KINGS off to a hot start,
these B2B games are a big test.