Up next for Kings: Thursday vs. San Jose

When: 7:30.

Where: Staples Center.

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 1150.

Records: Kings 40-27-13, Sharks 41-29-10.

Record vs. Sharks: 2-1-1.

Update: The Kings can clinch a playoff spot by earning one point or by Dallas’ losing to Nashville on Thursday in regulation, overtime or a shootout. The Stars-Predators game will start at 5 p.m. Pacific. Forward Jeff Carter, who has missed three games because of a bruised ankle, hasn’t resumed skating and won’t play Thursday. “Every day is better,” Coach Darryl Sutter said. Sutter also said defenseman Slava Voynov was “banged up” and received a day off from practice Wednesday but will play Thursday. The Sharks swept a home-and-home series against Dallas to vault back into a playoff spot. Forward Logan Couture, a finalist last season for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, ended a 10-game drought when he scored the winner Tuesday at Dallas. San Jose has the NHL’s third-best power-play efficiency, at 20.4%, but ranks 27th in penalty killing, at 78.7%

helene.elliott@latimes.com