Two teams heading in different directions the past four weeks will meet Saturday afternoon when the Los Angeles Kings host the St. Louis Blues at Staples Center.
The Kings (37-25-5) are 7-3-0 since Feb. 17, keeping them in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference entering Friday, one point behind the Anaheim Ducks for third in the Pacific Division and two points behind the second-place San Jose Sharks.
The Blues (35-27-5) are an NHL-worst 1-7-2 since Feb. 11, scoring two goals or fewer eight times.
St. Louis enters Friday four points behind the Kings for the final wild-card spot into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.