Stephen Nover

The Nuggets and the Thunder just met on Feb. 27. Oklahoma City won, 127-121. That game went into overtime, however. The combined points during regulation was just 214. 

Denver has been held to 108 points or fewer in regulation during four of its last six games. The Thunder rank second defensively holding foes to an average of 107.6 points a game. The Thunder rank first in defensive field goal percentage. 

Oklahoma City, though, has been having trouble scoring lately averaging 105.7 points a game in its last four games. 

The Blue Jackets' Rick Bowness should draw Coach of the Year consideration. Since he replaced Dean Evason on Jan. 12, Columbus has gone 13-4 and has a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season.

Morale and confidence are high for the Blue Jackets. The same can't be said for the Kings, who are 1-2 since D.J. Smith replaced Jim Hiller as coach.

The Kings are 2-7 in their last nine games. They are averaging 2.2 goals in regulation during their past 11 games. LA is putting more emphasis on attacking and offense under Smith. This has come at the expense of defense.

LA blew a 3-2 lead with six minutes left against the visiting Canadiens this past Saturday in a 4-3 loss. The Kings have been home for six consecutive games following the Olympic break. This is their first road game since Feb. 5 and it comes with an afternoon start. Columbus has been home for the last week.

Boston has a losing road record. But when it comes to home games, the Bruins are near invincible. They have won 12 straight at TD Garden. They are 24-8-1 at home this season.

The Bruins not only have a strong home ice advantage here, but also are the more rested team. Boston was idle on Monday while the Kings upset the Blue Jackets in overtime on the road yesterday.

This marks the Kings' fourth game in six days and eighth in 14 days. The last time LA played without rest was on Feb. 26 hosting Edmonton. The Oilers destroyed the Kings, 8-1, in that game. It was the fourth consecutive time the Kings have lost when playing on the second of back-to-back games.

The Kings are more offensive-minded and less deliberate under interim coach D.J. Smith. However, this has made the Kings more vulnerable on defense. LA is allowing an average of 4.6 goals per game in their last eight games. Boston is a top 10 scoring team with the league's fifth-best power play.