Kings seek to put some distance between them and Predators

The Kings could equal their longest win streak of the season and create some separation from a team chasing them in the standings if they prevail in a rubber match against the Nashville Predators on Thursday.

They have won four straight contests and six of seven overall, a stretch that began with a fortuitous victory over these same Predators in Nashville on Jan. 31. The Preds out-lasted the Kings in a 2-1 slugfest at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 18.

More recently, the Kings have created six points of separation between themselves and Nashville, as well as the St. Louis Blues. That progress has moved them closer to the third Pacific Division playoff slot than to the second wild-card berth.

In a 5-1 win over Columbus on Tuesday, the resurgent Cam Talbot fended off an early flurry and then made 19 stops in the third period to earn his second win in two straight starts. Pierre-Luc Dubois scored two goals. He’s notched six points in his past six games after scoring just one in his previous eight outings.

While their newest acquisition, Dubois, has awakened from a lengthy slumber, the star that was in their midst all along has continued to elevate his ceiling with each passing game. Quinton Byfield, who has 12 points in his last 10 games, is playing almost two and a half minutes more per game under newly promoted coach Jim Hiller. For the past three matches, he’s spent considerable time on the right flank of Dubois. Against Columbus, Byfield was equal parts ubiquitous and effective. He hooked up Dubois with a deft primary assist, screened the goalie on Kevin Fiala’s power-play tally, got in on Drew Doughty’s disallowed marker and scored the goal of the year thus far for the Kings to get the scoring going.