*8* SPECIAL on LA Kings.

Only on point separates the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues in the Western Conference standings, but the teams are trending in very opposite directions. The Blues are losers of five straight, and this looks like a fair price on the Kings home at Staples Center.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Home Cookin' - The Kings opened the season with three consecutive home losses but they're 13-3 in their last 16 in front of the home-town crowd. They have an excellent track record when hosting the Blues who have left Staples Center as losers in each of their last 11 visits.

2. Fatigue - The Blues lost 4-3 in a shootout at Anaheim last night, and each of their three games this week have gone past regulation. The Kings should be well rested with only two games played this week and a day off since Thursday's 2-1 win against Toronto.

3. X-Factor - St. Louis' goaltender Jake Allen, defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and Paul Stastny all exited yesterday's game with injuries and are questionable for tonight's contest.

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