(My Sportsbook) - The playoff-hopeful Columbus Blue Jackets will try to avoid a fourth loss in five games when they host the Los Angeles Kings in tonight's clash at Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets, who have never qualified for the postseason since entering the league prior to the 2000-01 campaign, are currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference with 68 points. However, Columbus is just one point ahead of Edmonton and Anaheim, who are tied for the West's final two playoff seeds.

Columbus lost for the third time in four outings on Sunday, as it was handed a setback in Vancouver. Ryan Kesler's marker early in the second period proved to be the deciding goal, as the Canucks defeated the Blue Jackets, 3-1, at GM Place.

Rick Nash had the lone tally for Columbus, while Steve Mason allowed three goals on 30 shots in defeat.

The Blue Jackets, who capped a three-game road trip with Sunday's loss, are back home for just one game before playing their next two tilts in Nashville and Detroit.

Columbus is 19-10-2 as the host this year, but has lost two of its last three in the Buckeye State.

The Kings, meanwhile, have lost three straight, five of six and eight of their last 10 contests. Los Angeles, which hasn't made the postseason since 2002, is currently 13th in the West and six points out of a playoff berth.

LA was also last in action on Sunday when it dropped a road test in Chicago. Dustin Byfuglien's sizzling one-timer late in the first period proved to be the game-winner, as the Blackhawks notched a 4-2 win at the United Center.

Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar tallied for the Kings, while Jonathan Quick was beaten four times on 38 shots in defeat.

Los Angeles is closing out a five-game road trip tonight and is just 1-3-0 on the swing so far. The Kings, who will begin a three-game homestand Thursday against Dallas, are 13-14-1 as the visiting team this season.

The Kings and Blue Jackets are completing their season series tonight. All three matchups so far this season have been shutouts, with Los Angeles winning this first two tests and Columbus posting a 2-0 decision the last time the clubs faced off on December 29 in LA. The Kings have won their last two games in Columbus after losing their previous four tilts at Nationwide Arena.