The set-up: The Buffalo Sabres finished 33-37-12 last season, giving them 78 points. That left them 8th of eight team in the Atlantic Division and 17 points shy of the Eastern Conference's final playoff team. With six consecutive postseason absences, the Sabres fired GM Tim Murray and head coach Dan Bylsma in the off-season, hoping to turn the team's fortunes around. Bylsma was unable to guide Buffalo back into the playoffs in his two seasons and was replaced by Phil Housley, the NHL's all-time second-leading scorer amongst American-born players. However, four losses in as many games (0-3-1), have turned up the frustration level. Thursday's 3-2 loss at San Jose on Thursday began Buffalo's four-game Western road trip, which tonight has them in LA to play the Kings. Los Angeles lost for the first time this season on Wednesday, 4-3 in overtime to Calgary in what was the opener of a four-game homestand (Kings are 2-0-1 to open the new season).

Buffalo: Jack Eichel was the 2015 Hobey Baker Award winner and was recently signed to an eight-year, $80 million contract extension. He set up both goals (has one goal & four assists on the season) by Jason Pominville (four goals & one assist for the season) in Thursday's 3-2 loss. "We've got to just figure a way to be sick of losing," Eichel told the Buffalo News after the loss to San Jose. "I know I'm sick of losing. There's a lot of guys that are sick of losing."

Los Angeles: Dustin Brown recorded his 15th career three-point performance (two goals, one assist) in the Kings' 4-3 OT loss on Wednesda and has five points (three goals & two assists) in his last two games. Captain Anze Kopitar recorded his second straight multi-point performance by scoring and setting up a goal versus Calgary and also has five points (three goals & two assists) in his last two games. Head coach John Stevens credited Kopitar and Brown's ability to work well together as reasoning for the fast start out of the gate. "Brown and Kopi (the two longest-tenured members of the Kings) have a long history of being good together. They've been great together all training camp," Stevens said.

The pick: Both clubs have had weak special teams play in the early going, as the Sabres have allowed a league-leading four shorthanded goals after allowing four all of last season, while the Kings are 0-for-16 on the power play, one of four NHL teams that has yet to score with the man-advantage. Kings goalkeeper Jonathan Quick hasn't faced the Buffalo Sabres very often since making his NHL debut against them nearly 10 years ago. However, Quick owns a 5-1-0 mark with three shutouts and a 1.22 goals-against average in his career versus Buffalo. His GAA vs. the Sabres is the lowest against any NHL team. Make the Kings an 8* play.