*7* LATE SHOW SPECIAL on LA Kings.

The Los Angeles Kings have been a very streaky team this season. They started the campaign with three consecutive losses but followed that up with seven straight wins. They're coming into this game on the back of a pair of home-wins against the Islanders and the Oilers, and I like the price we get on the Kings tonight when they open a five-game trip with a game at Philadelphia.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. The Kings' Defense - Los Angeles has allowed just 2.1 goals per game so far which is enough for the second best mark in the NHL. Its numbers on the road is even more impressive though, with just eight goals allowed through five games. Philadelphia has scored only six goals over its last four home-games, all losses.

2. Special Teams - The Kings were blanked over four chances on the man advantage in the 4-3 win against Edmonton Saturday, but they had power play goals in five straight games prior. The Flyers power play rank among the worst in the league, and so does their penalty kill as well.

3. X-Factor - Philadelphia's netminder Steve Mason has posted a 3.42 GAA over a 1-3-1 span.

Selection: This is a play on the Los Angeles Kings (7*)