Only one point separates the Los Angeles Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs as the two teams will clash at Staples Center tonight. The Leafs claimed the first meeting 4-3 in Toronto in a shootout roughly a month ago but have lost eight of their 12 games since. I think they'll struggle here against a Kings team that will come into this contest desperate to pick up a win after losing three straight at home.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Maple Leafs D - Toronto is off a 5-2 win against Columbus, but had dropped three straight prior getting outscored 14-4. It has lost four of its last five on the road allowing 20 goals over that span and ranks among the worst teams in the league allowing 3.07 goals per game. It is giving up close to 34 shots on goal per game and both Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer have struggled in net all season long.

2. Home Cookin' - You wouldn't believe it by looking at recent results, but the Kings are boasting one of the best home records in the Western Conference going 14-5-4. Of their three most recent losses two of them have come past regulation and the third was a 4-3 loss against the Rangers. We are likely to see Jonathan Quick make a 13th consecutive start, and he is 13-4-3 with a 2.14 GAA on home ice.

3. X-Factor - Marian Gaborik is leading the Kings with his 13 goals and has tallied 12 goals over his last 10 games against the Leafs.

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Kings (8*)