The Vancouver Canucks will try to aid their slim playoff chances by snapping a three-game slide when they welcome the Los Angeles Kings for Saturdays clash at Rogers Arena. Eddie Miles Jersey . Vancouver is 0-2-1 over its last three games and has dropped the first two tests of a five-game homestand in regulation. The slide has damaged the clubs already fragile playoff hopes, and the Canucks enter Saturday seven points out of the Western Conferences last postseason berth with only five games left on their schedule. Canucks captain Henrik Sedin is expected back in the lineup tonight after missing four games. The Kings, meanwhile, officially earned a fifth straight trip to the postseason following Wednesdays home win over Phoenix. Vancouver will try to avoid getting swept by the Kings in the season series on Saturday. Los Angeles is 4-0 versus the Canucks this season and has won seven of the last 10 meetings between the clubs. The Kings halted a two-game skid in Vancouver with a 3-2 overtime win at Rogers Arena on Nov. 25. After getting slammed by Anaheim 5-1 to begin this homestand on March 29, the Canucks then dropped a 3-1 decision in Tuesdays tilt against the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 34 shots to help New York subdue the Canucks on Tuesday. Ryan Kesler had the only goal of the game for Vancouver, while Eddie Lack gave up all three goals on 31 shots in the loss. Lack is expected to get the start this evening. "I thought our team played hard and we had some chances that we just didnt finish," said Vancouver head coach John Tortorella. "I thought we battled real hard and it was a good game." Tortorella went 0-2 against his former team this season, also losing to the Rangers 5-2 in New York on Nov. 30. Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault and Tortorella had switched cities in the offseason after both coaches were fired from their previous jobs. Vancouver fell to 18-13-6 as the home club this season. After tonights game, the Canucks will complete the homestand with tests against Anaheim and Colorado. The Kings have won seven of their last nine games, but the playoff-bound club has dropped two of its past three tilts. One night after clinching its postseason spot with a 4-0 win over the Coyotes, Los Angeles was handed a 2-1 regulation defeat in Thursdays game at San Jose. Antti Niemi stopped 26 shots to help lead the Sharks, who assured themselves of finishing no lower than third in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles is now locked into the third spot in the division and will be the guest in its first- round playoff matchup against either Anaheim or San Jose. Jordan Nolan had the only goal of the game for the Kings. Martin Jones gave up both goals on 21 shots in the loss. Also, L.A. saw defenseman Drew Doughty leave the game in the first period with a possible shoulder injury after checking Tyler Kennedy. Doughty, who was playing in his 199th consecutive game, is questionable for Saturdays tilt. The Kings had an eight-game road winning streak snapped on Thursday. The club is 22-13-3 as the guest this season and is making the second stop on a four- game road trip tonight. Bob Lanier Jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Kelly Tripucka Jersey . A criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court said his girlfriend told police they got into the argument early Thursday at his suburban Minneapolis home. https://www.cheappistonsonline.com/796y-lindsey-hunter-jersey-pistons.html . As future stars prepare to make the big leap to the professional ranks, TSNs Draft Week delivers wall-to-wall coverage of both the NHL and NBA Entry Drafts, highlighted by exclusive live coverage of both events.TORONTO -- Jonathan Bernier tried to stretch at every opportunity. Tuesday night marked the Toronto Maple Leafs starting goaltenders first game back after missing five straight with a groin injury. Bernier managed to get through it despite facing 48 shots in a 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. "A lot of work. But I felt OK," Bernier said. "It was a little sore obviously, but I was just trying to get it loose a little bit in between whistles and timeouts." Bernier aggravated the groin injury March 13 in the first period in Los Angeles. James Reimer relieved him and beat the Kings, then lost five straight starts. With the Leafs season looking like it was going off the rails after three straight losses, Bernier pushed himself too hard at Fridays practice with the hope of returning for the weekend. A setback at that point delayed his return. By Monday, Bernier felt better but needed Tuesdays morning skate to know for sure. Wheen he experienced no soreness, the decision was made to start against the Blues. M. L. Carr Jersey. Asked if he wouldve done the same in the 10th game of the season and did not rush back, Bernier responded: "Ah, I mean you always want to be back as soon as possible." Bernier said he would be able to play back-to-back games moving forward. The Leafs visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night before returning home to face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. The process of managing this groin injury, the first of his career, will be an ongoing process. "We got a good staff and obviously a lot of stretching and take care of my body -- lots of rest," Bernier said. Even in a losing effort, the Leafs were glad to get Bernier back because without him they mightve not even been in the game. "He was outstanding in there," winger James van Riemsdyk said. "He made big save after big save for us." ' ' '