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(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Kings will try to avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at Staples Center.

The Kings won their first game following the Olympic break, pounding Dallas, 5-1, on Tuesday. Since then, however, LA has dropped consecutive 4-2 decisions to Nashville and Montreal.

After losing a road test to the Predators on Thursday, the Kings were dealt a setback Saturday at home by the Habs. Brian Gionta and Benoit Pouliot each had a goal and an assist in Montreal's 4-2 win.

Anze Kopitar and Fredrik Modin had the goals for Los Angeles, while Jonathan Quick made 21 saves in defeat -- just the Kings' third regulation loss in the last 15 games.

"This was a pretty good effort, we just unfortunately gave the puck away at the wrong time," Kings coach Terry Murray said.

The Kings have 80 points and are tied with Colorado for the fifth seed in the Western Conference. LA hasn't made the postseason since the spring of 2002.

LA is 18-10-3 as the host this year, but has lost two of its last three home games.

Meanwhile, Columbus is second from the bottom in the Western Conference and has lost four straight, including two losses since the Olympic break.

The Blue Jackets were dealt an overtime loss Tuesday by visiting Vancouver and then lost a close regulation decision Saturday in San Jose. The Western Conference-leading Sharks posted a 2-1 win after scoring twice in the third period.

Andrew Murray scored the lone goal while Steve Mason made 42 stops for the Blue Jackets.

"They're a first-place team. They're there for a reason and they showed it tonight," Mason said. "Going into the third period we had the lead. They never give up and it showed."

Columbus has lost six of its last eight on the road and is just 10-19-4 as the guest this year. The Jackets will cap a three-game road trip Tuesday in Anaheim.

The Kings have taken two of three from Columbus this year and tonight's test marks the final meeting between the clubs this season. LA has won five of seven overall in the series and the Blue Jackets have dropped two of three at Staples Center.