Opponent--Buffalo Sabres.Site--Forum.Time--7:30.Radio--XTRA (690).Records--Kings 14-23-4, Sabres 21-15-5.Record vs....

Opponent--Buffalo Sabres.

Site--Forum.

Time--7:30.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Kings 14-23-4, Sabres 21-15-5.

Record vs. Sabres--0-1-0.

King update--The Kings will try to win two in a row after defeating Vancouver, 6-2, Tuesday night behind Eddie Olczyk’s three goals, the fifth hat trick of his career. Last month in Buffalo, the Kings took a 2-0 first-period lead only to lose to the Sabres, 6-2. Matt Johnson, who sat out the first game because of a shoulder injury, will be a key player tonight against the Sabres, who physically took over in the final two periods at Buffalo. Left wing Vladimir Tsyplakov has four goals and five assists in his last 10 games, including a two-goal effort against the Canucks on Tuesday. Forward Dimitri Khristich has a goal and three assists in his last three games.

Sabre update--Despite being without franchise player Pat LaFontaine--out because of a head injury for most of the season--the Sabres are battling Pittsburgh for the Northeast Division lead. Defenseman Richard Smehlik scored Buffalo’s goal in a 1-1 tie with San Jose on Tuesday as the Sabres improved to 7-1-3 in their last 11 games. In Buffalo’s 6-2 victory over the Kings last month, Derek Plante and Brian Holzinger each scored two goals. Plante leads the team with 20 goals and 31 points.